OR Tambo municipality given 14 days to detail plans to address water failures

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has demanded answers from the OR Tambo District Municipality over failures to provide clean, reliable drinking water to communities across the district. The commission on Tuesday convened subpoena proceedings involving mayor Mesuli Ngqondwana and municipal manager Zimkhitha Mgangatho as part of an investigation into longstanding complaints from residents in areas including Flagstaff, Mqanduli, Ingquza Hill, Port St Johns and King Sabata Dalindyebo. According to the commission, some complaints date back to 2023 and relate to dry taps, unreliable water supply and residents being forced to rely on unsafe water sources.

Provincial commissioner Dr Eileen Carter said the commission had conducted oversight visits, inspections and extensive engagements with the municipality to secure accountability and remedial action. “We have received complaints about a lack of running water and inadequate infrastructure for water supply,” Carter said. She said the commission expected the municipality to provide feedback on measures taken to supply affected communities with water and address service delivery failures.

Carter cited complaints from several areas across the district. “In Ingquza Hill municipality, a resident complained in January 2023 that 10 villages in Ward 5 were in need of water,” she said. “In King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality, a resident complained in January 2024 that five villages had not been receiving running water. “There are also eight villages in Mpheko that are deprived.” She said some communities continued to experience water shortages despite infrastructure having been installed.