Picket against JHB mayor's arrogance

southern africa | community struggles | non-anarchist press Wednesday May 21, 2008 15:00 by Coalition Against Water Privatisation - CAWP 00 27 (0) 73 052 7005

Amos Masondo thinks he is and above the law

It is funny to hear that Mayor Masondo has been nominated twice in consecutive years as one of the best City Mayors in the world. His unnecessary attack on Judge M.P. Tsoka who has shown himself as activist judge. As a response to the mayor's blunt attack on the ruling, the Coalition Against Water Privatization will stage a picket at Johannesburg Council Chamber on Wednesday the 21st of May 2008, starting at 10 o'clock in the morning.

Mayor Masondo promised to take up the fight against the poor residents of Soweto and the citizens of this country and worse he is even prepared to spend our money to fight against the very same poor people who are asking for the most basic necessity. He has shown his intent to be South Africa's and the rest of the world's most ruthless mayor. Instead of spending more millions of rands to appeal Judge Tsoka's ruling, Masondo and his cronies should be prepared to start channeling these resources to the people who need them most. Many people in Johannesburg are still without water and access to sanitation and this is worse in Kliptown where two people have died from an outbreak of cholera. All the City has done to combat the cholera outbreak is to give residents bleach to add to the water they drink. Though it may sound obvious, the reality is that people need a long-term solution and that will be adequate housing, water, sanitation and electricity. The City and JW denied that the water in Kliptown carries the cholera contamination but at the same time continue to do awareness – who is fooling who?

Millions have been spent in publicizing Operation Gcina'manzi and the City obtained a loan of R320-million for the purchase of pre-paid water meters, upgrading infrastructure and teaching poor people how to save water. The CAWP would appreciate the City showing the same commitment to respect the ruling of the High Court, remove the prepaid water meters and provide 50 litres of free water per person per day! Need for water can afford no delay!

Water is life!