Calls for Merafong officials involved in Rand Water talks to quit over water debt

The Greater Fochville Water Crisis Committee has called for senior Merafong officials involved in talks with Rand Water to either resign or face suspension pending an investigation into the municipality’s water debt scandal.

This was one of the demands in a memorandum handed to Merafong Mayor Nozuko Best on Tuesday during a shutdown protest in Fochville and Kokosi. 

Residents barricaded major routes, including the N12 and R500, to vent their frustration over months of unreliable or non-existent water supply.

Community leaders accuse the municipality of failing to resolve its ballooning debt to Rand Water, estimated at more than R1.4-billion, which has led to repeated supply cuts.

They say those who negotiated with the bulk supplier must be held accountable for what they describe as a "Rand Water scandal".

Spokeserson Ramafala Ramatshosa: "Equally, we are saying that part of the reason we want council to put them on precautionary suspension, we also want the mayor to leave, is that we don't understand how did they allow that we find ourselves in a situation where we are owing Rand Water an amount of R1.4 billion."

ALSO READ:

• Some residents push back against Merafong Municipality smart water meters proposal

• 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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