Merafong mayor dismisses calls for her resignation amid water crisis protest

Residents of Fochville and Kokosi on Johannesburg’s West Rand said Merafong’s deepening water crisis was the result of failed leadership.

Hundreds of community members staged a total shutdown on Tuesday, barricading the N12 and R500 with burning tyres and rocks.

They handed over a memorandum demanding that running water be restored by Wednesday and that the mayor, Nozuko Best, the municipal manager, and other officials they believe are to blame for the crisis, immediately resign.

Resident and Democratic Alliance (DA) Merafong constituency chair, Aileen Nieuwenhuizen, said: "I think we’ve got the wrong mayor. We've got the wrong governance in our municipality. Things must change and it must be immediately."

Meanwhile, the mayor's office has dismissed calls for her resignation, calling them unfair. 

Spokesperson Thabo Moloja said: "The mayor must resign for what? For the community not affording to pay and therefore the municipality not being able to pay Rand Water? That will be unfair, really."

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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