20 November 2024
The African Water Commons Collective rejects the unconstitutional actions of Johannesburg Water disconnecting so-called illegal water connections in Phumla Mqashi informal settlement in Lenasia South. This operation by Joburg Water was carried out without any notification. According to the Daily Maverick on 12 November 2024 residents said they were in the process of engaging Joburg Water and were waiting on a response when they were ambushed. We note with disgust the flaws in their public participation processes. This is an outright attack on the working class. With the summer season approaching we will face outbreaks of diarrhoea and other illnesses that we won’t be able to prevent because we won’t have enough water.
The African Water Commons Collective (AWCC) is a collective of water campaigners supporting and collectively learning, mobilizing and organizing for water justice. We work politically, publicly and collectively against the privatization of water, and build strategies to fight for water access/justice for all (i.e. the African water commons). We are currently working with 15 communities across the City of Cape Town and Witzenberg. We know first hand the issues and experiences of the of Phumla Mqashi informal settlement.
Our main aim is to support self-organization and mobilise resources for linking water struggles.
We do this through supporting the establishment of Water Action Committees (WACs) which can work both autonomously as well as part of a network with other organizations through the AWCC. Unapologetically feminist, Pan-Africanist, and Anti-capitalist.
We do not see these water connections as illegal, but as survival, the working class does not waste water but uses it for basic needs.
We salute the residents of Phumla Mqashi and encourage them to unite with the 5 already identified informal settlement in Lenasia at risk, 23 000 households according to the Department of Human Settlements.
We pledge our solidarity and support to our comrades on the front line facing the brutality and injustice of being deprived of access to water.
We therefore demand an end to water cut offs and the reconnection of water pipes that were illegally removed by Joburg Water with the support of JMPD.
We demand that residents be given access to enough clean, safe drinking water now!
WATER FOR LIFE!
FORWARD to building the Water Justice Movement FORWARD!
Email: africanwatercommonscollective@gmail.com