Johannesburg - DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane provoked residents of Tsakane by campaigning on the back of water supply problems, Gauteng's co-operative governance MEC said on Thursday.
“I have noted with concern allegations that Maimane went to Tsakane and promised residents water in return for joining the Democratic Alliance,” Jacob Mamabolo said in a statement.
“We saw a normally peaceful community erupting into party political clashes and almost spilling into violence because of Maimane's provocative visit to the area.”
On Wednesday police escorted Maimane out of Tsakane, on the East Rand, after residents, some wearing ANC T-shirts, booed him when he arrived in Section 17 with two water tankers.
Resident Bila Ndou said the DA had asked people to sign up for party.
Maimane denied claims that the DA wanted people to sign up for party membership in exchange for water. The party was compiling a petition, he said at the time.
Mamabolo, who also visited areas affected by water cuts in recent weeks, said government was “handling the water problem well”.
“Water supply problems which are still being experienced in parts of Ekurhuleni, in areas such as Tsakane and Etwatwa, are receiving immediate attention from the technical team from the municipality and Rand Water,” Mamabolo said.
“We are also satisfied the levels of water in all the reservoirs have recovered, with the majority reported at over 50 percent of capacity.”
Parts of Gauteng experienced severe water shortages in the past weeks. Water Minister Nomvula Mokonyane blamed this on a “technical glitch” and the theft of electricity cables which stopped pumps from working.
Sapa