DELMAS – The Victor Khanye Local Municipality’s (VKLM) decision to host a golf charity day on November 21, 2024, despite the severe water crisis, has sparked outrage among community members. Protesters gathered before the event, slamming the municipality’s priorities and demanding action to address the water crisis. The community’s frustration was visible, with residents forced to live with rainwater or no water, while the municipality decided to organise a golf day event.
Diana Bath, the ward councillor, commented on the issue of water. “This issue of water has been affecting us for years, and today the Mayor is having a golf charity day, which we are concerned about – where is the charity money going to be contributed to, and there are not enough water tanks to supply the community?” she commented.
The water crisis in Victor Khanye is not an isolated issue. Similar incidents have occurred in the past, highlighting the need for urgent action to address the water crisis. The Coalition Against Water Privatisation has condemned such events, emphasising the importance of transparency and accountability. In this case, residents are demanding that funds from the golf event be used to settle the municipality’s outstanding debt at Rand Water, which amounts to millions.
AfriForum has launched a petition to demand that the funds raised from the golf event be used to address the water crisis. Thabo Dube, a concerned community member, emphasised the issue faced by the community. “Vusi Buda prefers to play golf while the town’s residents are without water. Rand Water is owed millions, and residents have to live with rainwater or no water. Support AfriForum’s petition to demand that the funds raised here be used for the Victor Khanye Municipality’s outstanding debt at Rand Water,” he emphasised.
The mayor has promised to respond within seven days, and residents will be watching closely to ensure that promises are kept and progress is made. Mayor Vusi Buda addressed the community on the issue of water. “We received this memorandum, and myself and the team will respond to the issue of water within seven days, but we request that the community cooperate with us. On the IDP budget for March 2024, we mentioned to the community the two debts we have with Rand Water and Eskom, and we have said we will introduce our credit policy in July,” he addressed.
