Our communities (Elandskraal, Morarela, Mbuzini, Regae (Tsantsabela) and Dichoewung in Ga-Sekhukhune District Municipality previously under the Ephraim Mogale Municipality) have collectively come together to demand access to water. We cannot wait any longer for our right to access water to be realised - this is our fundamental human right!

This has had dire effects on the lives of our people. We have had to live through a pandemic where we are encouraged to wash our hands constantly without access to water. It should be a priority that communities are not only given the platform to voice out their concerns but also the responsibility of the government to act urgently towards our needs. Sanitation has been a challenge for our schools, surrounding healthcare facilities and those who have livestock. Expecting our communities to find alternative solutions to the water shortage adds more expenses to our already low income communities that are economically marginalised. It is without doubt that our communities bear the consequences of corruption and irresponsible leadership in the District.

On behalf of the communities, the Centre For Applied Legal Studies (CALS) applied for an order directing the State to provide them with sufficient water supply. An order of the court was made on the 21st of July 2015, directing the municipality to provide the five villages with water bi-weekly, which would be stored in Jojo tanks surrounding the communities. Further, the Municipality was also ordered to devise and implement a long term sustainable plan for the supply of water to the communities, including monthly report updates to the court. However, the Municipality has since violated the court order and has failed to provide water to the communities before and after communities reached out for help, leading CALS to obtain a contempt of court order against the municipality in December 2019. The only progress there is thus far is the completion of the water purification plant but the community is still experiencing shortage of water supply. 

Please sign our petition to:

1. Ensure that the Sekhukhune District Municipality follows the court orders till the water from the plant is ready for public consumption

2. Hold the Sekhukhune District municipality accountable for any water and sanitation costs the community has incurred thus far.

3. Hold a disciplinary hearing or performance review of the Sekhukhune District Municipality for the neglect of human rights issues the communities of Ga-Sekhukhune have faced thus far.

4. To establish a task team, which will investigate the delays which occurred from the year 2016 till to date. The task team should be inclusive of community representatives from all five villages affected by the matter.

5. Return the water rights of Elandskraal, Morarela, Mbuzini, Regae (Tsantsabela) and Dichoewung back to Ephraim Mogale Municipality

6. To provide water for 24 hours in Elandskraal, Morarela, Mbuzini, Regae (Tsantsabela) and Dichoewung. 

Water is not only a right but is a crucial component to our survival as a community, our commerce and livelihoods.