Who and what is AfriForum?

AfriForum is an Afrikaans civil rights organisation that protects the rights of minority groups at national as well as provincial level, and anyone who can identify with AfriForum’s principles and objectives may join the organisation. AfriForum’s community plan focuses on mobilising communities to thus take control of their own streets and neighbourhoods again. AfriForum ensures that your constitutional and civil rights are recognised and protected at national level.

Wie en wat is AfriForum?

AfriForum is ’n Afrikaanse burgerregteorganisasie wat die regte van minderheidsgroepe op sowel nasionale as provinsiale vlak beskerm, en enigiemand wat met AfriForum se beginsels en doelstellings kan identifiseer, mag by die organisasie aansluit. AfriForum se gemeenskapsplan fokus daarop om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer om só weer beheer terug te neem oor hul eie strate en woonbuurtes. AfriForum verseker dat jou grondwetlike én burgerregte op nasionale vlak erken en beskerm word.

Residentia residential area in Welkom without water for over 30 days; AfriForum demands action

AfriForum is demanding action from Dr. Vuyo Adonis, the Acting Municipal Manager of the Matjhabeng Local Municipality, since residents of Residentia in Welkom have been without a reliable water supply for over 30 days – while the Municipality continues to provide no indication of when the crisis will be resolved. Despite repeated requests for information and formal correspondence from AfriForum, Adonis has not responded to any of the organisation’s correspondence regarding the ongoing water crisis.

In a letter sent today, the organisation has once again requested that Adonis provide a written response within 24 hours, clarifying the cause of the water crisis in Residentia, the steps already taken to address it and the timeframe for restoring the water supply. AfriForum is also demanding a comprehensive report on the operational status of six boreholes – including confirmation that functional pumps have been installed, the daily volume of water produced and details of any maintenance work already carried out.

AfriForum sent its first urgent letter to Adonis on 2 November, demanding that the organisation demanded that the Municipality intervene immediately to address the water crisis, provide emergency water supplies and respond in writing within 24 hours. To date, however, Adonis has failed to respond to any of the organisation’s inquiries concerning the matter. Meanwhile, the water crisis persists, forcing residents to cope daily without access to an essential basic service.

“It is unacceptable that a residential area has been without water for more than 30 days and that the Municipal Manager does not even bother to respond to residents’ concerns. Dr. Adonis must explain why he is not responding and why residents are being left without both water and answers. The Municipality’s silence does not solve the problem,” says Christa Ikking, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Hoogland.

“Residents indicate that water tankers have indeed been made available in the town for residents to collect water from. However, there are many elderly people in the town who are unable to reach these tankers or who are physically unable to carry buckets filled with water.”

In its latest letter, AfriForum also raises concerns about the functionality of the municipal boreholes and demands information about the operational status of six municipal boreholes that, according to available project information, were drilled and handed over as early as 2023.

“We are requesting information about these projects with reference to the Municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for 2025/2026,” says Ikking.

The boreholes are in Hennenman, Riebeeckstad, Mmamahabane, Phomolong and Thabong. According to available information, the six boreholes have a combined reported yield of 36 000 litres per hour, with a total storage capacity of 120 000 litres.

If all six boreholes were to operate continuously at their reported yield, this would represent a theoretical production capacity of up to 864 000 litres per day.

However, AfriForum wants to know whether these boreholes are equipped with working pumps, whether they are connected to functional distribution networks and whether the water produced reaches the intended communities.

“The Municipality must explain what has become of these boreholes. Are they fully equipped? Are the pumps in working order? Is the water being utilised? If not, why not? It is not sufficient to drill boreholes and designate projects as complete if the infrastructure is not functioning properly.

“How much longer must the residents of Residentia go without water before the Municipality takes concrete action? Residents deserve not only explanations but a workable solution,” says Ikking.

AfriForum points out that Section 27(1)(b) of the Constitution protects everyone’s right to access sufficient water. The Municipality also has a constitutional responsibility to provide basic services in a sustainable manner.

The organisation believes that the ongoing water crisis in Residentia, coupled with a lack of communication from the municipal management, raises serious questions about service delivery and accountability.

Should the Municipality continue to fail to act, AfriForum will consider further steps, including lodging a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission and potentially pursuing legal action.

“Dr. Adonis and the Matjhabeng Municipality must realise that they have a responsibility towards the residents. AfriForum will not stop demanding answers while the residents of Residentia are left without water. We will continue to apply pressure on the Municipality until this crisis is resolved,” concludes Ikking.