The control measures implemented by City of Tshwane are a violation of our basic human rights.

Reason being:

a) City of Tshwane has not fixed any water leaks around Wierda Park and its extensions since early July 2023, meaning many kilolitres of water are being squandered at the disadvantage of rate payers and consumers, this is both residential and business rate payers.

b) Despite the many incidents logged in a correct manner to the City, public media pleas and communication sent to the councillor and members of the mayoral committee including the mayor and the city manager, not one single water leak (as mentioned in a) above) has been repaired since early July 2023.

Without proper public consultation, the City Manager, unilaterally elected to apply water consumption controls to reservoirs alleging that Tshwane residents are overusing water.  It is clear from this grave injustice that the City Manager and/or the Mayoral Committee of Tshwane widely applied this restrictive measure without due and proper investigation into the alleged high consumption of water by Tshwane residents.

This measure poses a serious risk that might result in certain areas running out of water for an indefinite period.

Water, being, one of the basic human rights endorsed by our Constitution will deprive Tshwane residents of water which we pay for and is necessary for everyday needs.  

Chapter 2, Bill of Rights, Section 27 of the Constitution further states that "Everyone has the right to have access to-health care services, including reproductive health care;
sufficient food and water; and
social security, including, if they are unable to support themselves and their dependents, appropriate social assistance.

The state must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realisation of each of these rights.

The Constitution of our country clearly endorses the basic right of access to water.

Without proper warning of possible water interruptions and taps running dry, residents are unable to protect their appliances that depend on a consistent flow of water, namely geysers, etc.

The City, unfairly and without warning, applies these restrictive water control measures, unlawfully, putting ratepayers and paying consumers in an untenable position.

This is not the first time that the City of Tshwane has unilaterally implemented such unfair practices without due and proper consultation with the public and further raises a concern as to whether these practices are equally applied on each and every resident in Tshwane, including state owned enterprises, state officials, metro officials, councillors, etc. 

The public is aware that the City of Tshwane is massively financially indebted to Rand Water and that the City could have at the very least repaired the multiple water leaks within the City which have been neglected since July 2023.  The City of Tshwane is misrepresenting the true nature and facts of water usage within our City.  Should the City have applied reasonable measures to repair these multiple water leaks thereby preserving our natural resources, we would not be in this dire situation.

Please sign this petition to stop this practice of inequality as regards water control measures being meted out in the City of Tshwane.