Water cuts threat

More than 11 million people face possible water shortages as workers at Rand Water prepare to strike.

The SA Municipal Workers’ Union has warned that taps could run dry if the company does not respond to workers’ demands.

Some 4000 members of the union — involved in both the treatment and distribution of water – on Monday gave 48 hours’ notice of their intention to strike.

“When taps run dry in Gauteng and Mpumalanga‚ members of the community should ask Rand Water board why it has not committed to giving workers increases that will have real gains for them‚” said Chumani Gqeke‚ the national collective bargaining officer for Samwu.

Negotiations collapsed as Samwu described the offer tabled by the water utility as insignificant.

“Our next appointment with Rand Water will be on the streets‚” Gqeke said.