The different parties embroiled in the Matjhabeng water crisis have reached an out-of-court settlement and have agreed to arbitration.
In a court order issued on 19 July the Matjhabeng Community Forum (MCF) has been included in the proceedings.
René Steyn of the DA says the key elements of the court order include referral of all issues related to the bulk water supply and payment obligations to arbitration under the Association of Arbitrators (Southern Africa) NPC, with the municipality being obligated to make a monthly payment of R12 000 000 to Vaal Central Water (VCW).
The Matjhabeng Community Forum will be able to make submissions during the arbitration process.
Steyn says this resolution follows a concerted effort by DA councillors and the MCF, who joined forces in a community-based approach to engage both the Matjhabeng Local Municipality (MLM) and Vaal Central Water (VCW), respectively.
“Our united front was aimed to address the immediate issue of water restrictions and culminated in an urgent application that ensured participation in the arbitration process,” she says.
