The legal challenge over the access to water between the residents of Phiri in Soweto, against the City of Johannesburg commenced in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday.
Counsel for Phiri residents, Wim Trengove, told the court that people in Phiri received the minimum of 50 litres as per government stipulations, however, a third get less than half of this, while some only got 10 litres per person per day.
This was because of the large number of people living on properties in the area.
”We know that a single flush of a toilet takes 10 litres of water … the question is: Can people live on a single flush of a toilet per day? … We submit that they cannot.
”One simply cannot live a decent and dignified life without water,” said Trengove.
Phiri residents are opposing the limitations of a free supply of six kilolitres per household and the installation of pre-paid water meters.
Trengove also told the court how the city ”prided themselves” on their ”superb consultation” regarding the matter. But in reality no consultation was done at all.
He said the city had made a decision on what they were going to do and then went on a ”publicity drive” to try to sell it to the people. ‒ Sapa