BBC - South Africa: Political Issues: Constitution: Local Councils Case Study 2

Residents of a poor Johannesburg township are going to court to challenge the legality of water meters. The group who are members of "The Coalition Against Water Privatisation" claim that Johannesburg Water, the private company tasked with providing water to the Unicity, is cutting off water supply to the poorest citizens and risking the health of their children.

Justice Ncoba, a 75 year old pensioner, says that he can't pay. "I earn 500 rand (£50) a month" he said. "I have five grandchildren to look after and we get 6,000 litres of free water a month. After that we are charged. But I can't pay and I won't pay."

It has been calculated that 6,000 litres a month would allow a large family about two toilet flushes a day per person. The Coalition argues that cutting off water supply is unconstitutional since it denies victims their constitutional right to clean water.

A Johannesburg city official hit back. "These people are politically motivated" he said. "We have cut supplies to 0.3% of our customers and these are persistent non-payers who have no intention of meeting their bills. They still have access to clean water through standpipes."

A Government spokesman backed him up. "Local Councils are connecting a million people a year" he said. "By 2008 every home in South Africa will have access to clean water. This is what we should be celebrating. Not publicising anti-privatisation political activists."

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