Communicate with public: Mokonyane

Rand Water needs to work closer and communicate better with communities regarding water supply interruptions and other challenges, Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane's office said on Thursday.

"Remember that, as a board you have a responsibility towards the communities you serve," Mokonyane said at a meeting with the board.

The board had to close the gap between their commitment to communities and what was eventually delivered.

It also had to look at their current way of doing things, and how it could possibly be changed for positive results.

Rand Water should work with its stakeholders so that looming problems could be foreseen and dealt with, with the MEC, mayors, ward councillors and community leaders constantly engaged with.

Mokonyane's spokeswoman Brenda Mpitsang said the minister's department had set up a war room involving all these stakeholders, while a hotline would also be established to receive feedback.

Rand Water resolved to join a joint operations committee with stakeholders so that there would be a co-ordinated effort to address the situation.

"Rand Water acceded that they may have been internal issues that may have been handled better and vowed that going forth the board will intensely improve on matters of operation," Mpitsang said.

"The board further agreed to work on restoring the confidence and hope in all the communities who were affected as well as those who are consumers of Rand Water services."

Going forward, feedback would be given four times a day to keep residents up to date with the latest developments regarding water supply issues.

Earlier on Thursday, Gauteng premier David Makhura said he would receive a report on Friday on the water shortages in the province.

"I have asked for an urgent report on the water situation in the municipalities in the province, including what the real problem is and what the source of the apparent water supply problem is," he said on the sidelines of a provincial security indaba in Germiston, on Johannesburg's East Rand.

"We will be able to look at the matter and where necessary discuss with the national minister of water and sanitation."

Makhura said he was meeting mayors in Gauteng on Friday to discuss how to take the province forward with regard to infrastructure and investments.

Rand Water on Thursday denied reports of water restrictions in Gauteng following water shortages during the week.

High-lying areas, such as Bedfordview and Primrose, still had water shortages because there was not enough pressure to push water there. As water levels increase, there would be enough pressure to pump water to those areas.

Earlier, authorities said water had been restored to most of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni.

Only two suburbs in Johannesburg - South Hills and Rabie Ridge - and two in Ekurhuleni - Bedfordview and Primrose - were still without water.

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