Some residents push back against Merafong Municipality smart water meters proposal

The Merafong local municipality said it proposed installing 39,000 smart water meters across its jurisdiction to fix the ongoing water crisis, but some residents were against this.

Executive Mayor Nozuko Best and officials from the premier's office met with frustrated Kokosi township residents protesting over long-standing water cuts.

Rand Water slapped the municipality with 40% water cuts over a R1.4 billion debt.

Municipal spokesperson Thabo Moloja said the municipality will encourage residents who cannot afford to pay their bills to apply for the indigent grant.

READ: Fochville mayor promises to respond to protesting residents' demands within given timeframe

He said this was communicated after some residents refused the installation of the water meters.

"Something that some of the communities, when engaged through the IDP, they were not comfortable with that to say when you put the water meters means, when the water dries out, we were going to shut it down."

Moloja said one of their biggest hurdles is non-paying business.

ALSO READ:

• Merafong Municipality blames residents and businesses for its R1.4 billion water debt

• Fochville mayor promises to respond to protesting residents' demands within given timeframe

• Protesting Fochville residents give municipality 25 hours to restore water supply

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