By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Water utility Rand Water says it is baffled by the petition for its Chief Executive Sipho Mosai to step down, saying it was misplaced.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng launched a petition on Friday, seeking support for the ousting of Mosai.
Solly Msimanga, DA Gauteng premier hopeful, said Mosia failed to do his job adequately, making reference to the utility’s purported failure to address water supply snags.
The water utility is currently faced with a dire strait, and has pleaded with residents in a statement to use water sparingly as its systems are under stress.
“Consistent failures on the part of Rand Water to both adequately prepare for increased demand and to address the failings within the organisation make it clear that Rand Water is yet another rudderless ship,” said Msimanga
“Rand Water has caused a humanitarian crisis in Gauteng and they should be held accountable for it. Therefore, the DA calls on the CEO of Rand Water to do the honourable thing and resign. Failing which, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, should fire the CEO.
“Rand Water fails to communicate with municipalities and the residents of Gauteng about the water shortage that they have caused and conveniently points fingers at municipalities when they are indeed to blame. This can no longer be tolerated and it is time that Rand Water is held to account for its failure and human rights abuse”.
The petition has garnered over 6 000 signatures so far.
Rand Water said it was “baffled” by the petition and said it was misplaced. It claimed to be currently producing water higher than its extraction limit because of demand, and was transparent about systems and maintenance. It accused DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga of politicking.
“Rand Water is able and has the capacity to supply water to its municipal customers. However, it should be noted that during this time of the year, water demand outstrips supply capacity.”
“It is evident the challenge is not lack of capacity to supply water, but rather high consumption because of this hot period.”
It added water leaks were another major concern.
The utility said municipalities are trying to curb water demand and waste, but “water conservation and demand management measures are not sufficiently implemented”.
A storm that wrecked havoc across Gauteng last week damaged affected water supply to several areas, with Rand Water indicating on Saturday that its reservoirs were filling up.
Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo said the water board is pumping at full capacity, has restored all its systems and is gradually filling the depleted reservoirs.
“We urge all consumers to use water sparingly as we have observed an increase in water demand due to high temperatures. Potable water is a finite resource, especially in the context of a semi-arid area such as South Africa.
“High water consumption is discouraged not because of affordability but rather owing to scarcity. When many people consume large volumes of water like irrigation, filling swimming pools at the same time, this inevitably causes a strain on the system and peak demands shoot up. The resultant effect is therefore quick depletion of systems.”
Maroo adds that uncontrolled high-water consumption has already put a strain on Rand Water’s systems.
“Rand Water held emergency meetings with affected municipalities: the City of Johannesburg, and City of Ekurhuleni to discuss the impact of the power supply failure to ZWTP and came up with feasible resolutions.