By Sydney Masinga
Brits - North West Premier Thandi Modise says residents of the volatile villages around Brits will have their water supply restored by Friday.
This follows the deaths of three people when disgruntled residents of Mothotlung, Damonville and part of Mmakau in the Madibeng local municipality in Brits took to the streets this week, demanding water.
The residents, who went without water for a week, barricaded roads, burned tyres and threw stones at police officers.
“We remain confident that water will be restored by Friday as per the commitment made by the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, during our visit to the area on Tuesday,” said Modise in a statement.
Modise, Molewa and Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa visited members of bereaved families in Damonville on Tuesday.
Modise's spokesperson, Moses Kgwele, said the delegation was told that Madibeng local municipality officials, who benefit from the provision of water tanker services, had tampered with the water pumps.
“The government delegation has committed to institute investigations into the alleged sabotage that resulted in water interruptions in Mothotlung, Damonsville and part of Mmakau,” said Kgwele.
Modise has also called on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to accelerate investigations into the deaths of the three protestors.
“We are saddened by the deaths and wish to convey our condolences to the families that lost their loved ones in this incident. The volatile situation demands for police and the protestors to exercise restraint to avoid further loss of lives,” emphasised Modise.
IPID national spokesperson Moses Dlamini confirmed they were investigating the deaths.
He said 27-year-old Lerato Seema allegedly died at Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital in Rustenburg on Wednesday after suffering head injuries when he jumped off a moving armoured vehicle.
“He was taken to Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital in Rustenburg, where he died at around 3am on Wednesday morning,” he said.
IPID is also investigating the fatal shooting of two other people on Monday.
“We would like to appeal to any witnesses to (the Seema) and Monday’s incidents to make contact with the IPID. No arrest has been made. The investigations continue,” Dlamini said.
Information can be directed either to the IPID’s office in Rustenburg on 014 591 8560 or Mr Molatedi on 072 494 6331. – SAnews.gov.za
