ActionSA Submits Follow-Up Questions to SAHRC Following Inadequate Municipal Responses on Water Access Violations
Press Statement by Thoko Mashiane MPL
ActionSA Member of Mpumalanga Legislature
ActionSA has formally submitted a detailed follow-up to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) after receiving wholly inadequate responses from the City of Mbombela and Nkomazi Local Municipalities regarding longstanding water access violations in Emjindini Trust (Ward 41) and Mangweni (Ward 17), respectively.
This follows ActionSA’s original complaints lodged with the Commission concerning the persistent denial of access to clean and reliable water, an issue which continues to undermine the rights and dignity of residents in both communities.
While we acknowledge that both municipalities have responded to the SAHRC’s initial correspondence, their submissions fall drastically short of the accountability, urgency, and transparency required. Our oversight efforts and community engagements have exposed stark contradictions between what the municipalities claim, and the daily realities experienced by residents on the ground.
Our follow-up submission highlights critical discrepancies and requests the SAHRC to probe, among others:
The use of outdated statistics on water access in Mangweni;
Lack of transparency on contractors, project timelines, and budgets;
The unexplained suspension of water infrastructure projects in Emjindini Trust;
The continued reliance on unsustainable water tanker systems in both wards;
Failure to conduct meaningful public participation and ensure consequence management for non-performance.
We have further called on the SAHRC to conduct site visits or public hearings in the affected areas and to demand that all project-related information be made public to uphold transparency.
ActionSA remains committed to championing the rights of all South Africans to access basic services and live in dignity. We will continue to monitor developments closely and support the Commission in holding public institutions accountable.
ActionSA Submits Follow-Up Questions to SAHRC Following Inadequate Municipal Responses on Water Access Violations
ActionSA has formally submitted a detailed follow-up to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) after receiving wholly inadequate responses from the City of Mbombela and Nkomazi Local Municipalities regarding longstanding water access violations in Emjindini Trust (Ward 41) and Mangweni (Ward 17), respectively.
This follows ActionSA’s original complaints lodged with the Commission concerning the persistent denial of access to clean and reliable water, an issue which continues to undermine the rights and dignity of residents in both communities.
While we acknowledge that both municipalities have responded to the SAHRC’s initial correspondence, their submissions fall drastically short of the accountability, urgency, and transparency required. Our oversight efforts and community engagements have exposed stark contradictions between what the municipalities claim, and the daily realities experienced by residents on the ground.
Our follow-up submission highlights critical discrepancies and requests the SAHRC to probe, among others:
We have further called on the SAHRC to conduct site visits or public hearings in the affected areas and to demand that all project-related information be made public to uphold transparency.
ActionSA remains committed to championing the rights of all South Africans to access basic services and live in dignity. We will continue to monitor developments closely and support the Commission in holding public institutions accountable.