She says this deprives residents of the basic human right of access to clean water. She also says it hampers the government’s efforts to fight the spread of the coronavirus.

Sisulu added that this is not the time to be punishing people for failing to pay their water bills. The government is encouraging citizens to wash hands with water and soap to defeat the  pandemic. She further asks residents waiting to receive water tanks in their areas to be patient. She says the government is in the process of rolling these out.

The Minister’s appeal comes after the department received many complaints about municipalities who cut water supply to residents in arrears. It is also alleged that in some cases water has been cut for no apparent reason.

The Free State's Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality is amongst many facing water challenges in the country. Sisulu last year pledged R220 million to help this Municipality. She further promised the municipality thousands of Jojo tanks and water trucks, of which some have been delivered. 

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