Home

Drought-hit W Cape prepares for Day Zero

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Western Cape Premier Helen Zille will on Monday meet with the national Disaster Management, police, the army and the State Security Agency to discuss preparations for Day Zero and its aftermath.

Day Zero is expected to arrive in late April when residents will have to queue for a daily quota of 25 litres of water.

Cosatu in the province has meanwhile called on Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene in the water crisis. Dams currently stand at 28%.

On Friday, a special council meeting scrapped the proposed drought levy following an outcry from the public.

It has agreed to put in place punitive tariffs for those who continue to use excessive amounts of water.

The regional Cosatu leadership has however accused the Cape Town council of not dropping the previously proposed drought levy.

Instead, says Cosatu, city officials have painted the levy in a different colour and gave it a different name.

Cosatu Western Cape leader Tony Ehrenreich says the city has failed to manage the water crisis.

He says a credible champion is needed for the water issue and that is the Deputy President of the country.

Cape Townians are meanwhile doing their bit to save water as Day Zero draws closer in April.

Many collect bucket loads of water at a natural source in Newlands and despite the ongoing scarcity of water, residents have remained optimistic.

Author

MOST READ