South Africa's Water Crisis: Minister Under Fire as MP Ejected from National Assembly

Image credits: Soyiso Maliti/News24

The South African National Assembly was thrown into chaos on Tuesday as MK Party's Visvin Reddy was ejected from the chamber after leading a chant of "Pemmy must go," referring to Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina. The incident occurred during a heated debate over a petition from Germiston residents, who are struggling with erratic water supply. Reddy's outburst was sparked by the minister's handling of the water crisis, which he claimed was a result of her being "unfit for office," "in denial," and "out of touch" with the needs of the people.

The debate was centered around a report by the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation, which highlighted the critical issues facing the community in Germiston, including a rapid increase in demand for water, non-revenue water losses, infrastructure failure, and the impact of load shedding and cable theft. The committee's chairperson, Leonard Basson, acknowledged the temporary relief measures implemented by the municipality but emphasized the need for long-term solutions to ensure a sustainable water supply. The MK Party rejected the committee's recommendations, demanding real action and calling for Minister Majodina's removal. Reddy's chants of "Pemmy must go" were met with resistance from Deputy Speaker Annelie Lotriet, who ruled his conduct out of order and requested his removal from the chamber.

The incident has sparked a wider debate about the government's handling of the water crisis and the role of Minister Majodina. The water crisis in Germiston is not an isolated incident, with many communities across the country struggling with access to clean water. The issue has become a major point of contention, with opposition parties calling for greater accountability and action from the government. The MK Party's stance on the matter has been clear, with Reddy emphasizing the need for real action and not just empty promises. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the growing concerns over the water crisis and the calls for Minister Majodina's removal.

Some of the key developments in this story include:

• The ejection of Visvin Reddy from the National Assembly after his chants of "Pemmy must go"
• The rejection of the Portfolio Committee's recommendations by the MK Party, who are demanding real action to address the water crisis
• The calls for Minister Majodina's removal, with opposition parties citing her handling of the water crisis as a major point of concern
• The wider implications of the water crisis, with many communities across the country struggling with access to clean water

The incident has also raised questions about the role of parliament and the rules governing debate in the National Assembly. The matter will be referred to the powers and privileges committee, which will investigate the incident and determine the appropriate course of action.

In conclusion, the ejection of Visvin Reddy from the National Assembly has highlighted the growing tensions over the water crisis in South Africa. The government's handling of the crisis has been called into question, with opposition parties demanding greater accountability and action. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the growing concerns and the calls for Minister Majodina's removal. The incident has also sparked a wider conversation about the role of parliament and the need for effective governance in addressing the country's pressing challenges.

water visvin pemmy reddy assembly eject germiston majodina crisi committee