Premier threatens to sack officials over water

Mpumalanga mayors, councillors and municipal officials will be fired if they fail to deliver water to people in the province, says Premier David Mabuza

“During the state of the province address, I promised the people that they will get water, therefore no one will stand in my way; those who cannot deliver must be released from duty,” Mabuza said in a statement.

“I am not going to beg anyone anymore, but I am demanding that people should have access to water, regardless of whether they stay in informal or formal settlements.”  

Mabuza met with Mbombela councillors in Hazyview, outside Nelspruit, on Friday to discuss the water problems in the province.

This was after he had found a deserted water project during a week-long visit to water sources and purification plants in the area.

Mabuza said there was a water problem in the province because municipalities did not prioritise the distribution of it.

Some water plants did not have capacity since communities had grown but municipalities did nothing about it.  

“All those who have positions in municipalities should respect them,” said Mabuza.

“Time is not on our side. At the end of our term, we are going to be evaluated and people out there will be angry that we failed to give them life.” 

Mabuza said the provincial government had plans to intervene and assist the municipalities.