ANC welcomes Lesufi’s apology over ‘hotel bath’ comments amid water crisis

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. Picture: Gallo Images The ANC says it welcomes party member and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s apology for his comment that he sometimes takes a bath at hotels when facing water issues. Lesufi made the remarks on Wednesday while addressing journalists about the water issues currently plaguing Gauteng.

“In some instances, I had to go to a certain hotel so that I bath to go to my commitments. We also go through the same inconveniences like any other person,” the premier said. “There’s no special water or special pipe that is designed to service other people and not service other people.

Our family, our relatives, ourselves, our constituencies – they suffer the same thing. We don’t have water when communities don’t have water.” My sincerest apology no harm intended.pic.twitter.com/SN545hmanQ ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the premier’s “clarification and apology” affirmed that any interpretation suggesting that hardship varies by social standing was never Lesufi’s intention. “We appreciate the accountability demonstrated in correcting the record,” Bhengu said in a statement on Tuesday.

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She said the ANC, which is being blamed for the failing infrastructure affecting the water supply, reiterated that access to water is a basic human right enshrined in the constitution and “consistently upheld in ANC policy, including the 2024 Elections Manifesto”. Water shortages affect all residents, with the working class and poor often bearing the greatest burden, Bhengu continued.

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