Cosatu’s plea to deputy president

OPEN letter to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The water crisis in the Western Cape is going to cause a major problem for the country. This crisis is due to the less-thanadequate management of water in the Western Cape by all levels of government.

The new water situation is causing challenges in many provinces, with the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Free State, currently the worst affected.

The situation in the Western Cape is however the most dire, with the management thereof leaving much to be desired. The water will run out if the rain patterns don’t do something unusual for this time of year.

The economy will be severely affected with many jobs being lost due to water supply instability. The sanitation system is water based and when the water runs out, the drains will overflow and the spillage will lead to disease and deaths.

Water augmentation measures that are now being pursued by the City will not be ready or meet the extent of the demand when rain water is exhausted.

Desalination plants are behind schedule, the recycling has been historically delayed, the aquifers have not been sustainably explored, the springs and other water sources have not been effectively harvested. We believe water to agriculture must be stopped for irrigation that is not vital to food security. Only people and livestock should get water now, as wines and fruit exports are not essential now.

The management measures are not being supported by Capetonians, because the city’s administration has been less than honest with people. Mayor De Lille is not trusted by people on the water challenge, so her appeals for water reduction fall on deaf ears.

We need a national champion with the credibility and political authority to make a decisive intervention. We believe that your good offices can play that role in assisting Capetonians to overcome this crisis.

We believe that we should all work together before protest and civil unrest grips our communities who have a real fear of dying of thirst.

Day Zero is moving closer and the mitigation measures are being delayed due to bad planning.

We know that you are busy with important work in Davos, but look forward to your earliest consideration. TONY EHRENREICH Provincial Secretary