2009-04-17: City welcomes Supreme Court judgement to uphold its appeal
THE City of Johannesburg welcomes the judgement of the Supreme Court of Appeals that provides greater clarity on the constitutional obligations of local government to provide free water to indigent residents.
The City welcomes the Court's decision to uphold its appeal against an earlier judgement in the Johannesburg High Court, says the Johannesburg City Council's Member of the Mayoral Committee for Infrastructure, Ms Cllr Ros Greeff.
The City noted the order of the court that account holders in Phiri who are registered as indigents should receive 42 litres of free water per day per household member.
In terms of the City's existing policy, indigent residents can apply to receive a monthly allocation of 10 kilolitres of free water. This is equivalent to 50 litres free water a day for each person in a family of seven.
Cllr Greeff says "our record over the past number of years shows the important steps we have taken to support the poor and the indigent."
Johannesburg currently delivers on a R355-million social package which includes the supply of free water services, free sanitation and refuse removal to particular vulnerable groups. Basic water services in Johannesburg are heavily subsidized and supplied below cost.
The City recently introduced a Municipal Services Subsidy Scheme which included the write-off of arrears to the value of R1, 5 billion. This scheme provided poor households and low income earners with the opportunity to relieve their debt burden while also creating a new culture of payment among residents.
In the light of the judgement, the City will reconsider and reformulate its existing policies on the provision of free water.
The City noted the judgement of the court that it has been given a period of two years to legalise the use of prepayment meters. The City will look at the legal implications and introduce the required by-laws to legalise this situation.
The City will study the entire judgement of the Supreme Court of Appeals and its implications for service delivery and seek legal advice on how to proceed.
Issued on behalf of:
Cllr Ros Greeff, Member of the Mayoral Committee
Infrastructure Services
City of Johannesburg
For enquiries please contact:
Nthatisi Modingoane
Deputy Director
Public Liaison Office
Communication Department
City of Johannesburg
Tel: 011 407-7354
Cell: 082 467 9228
