Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has faced criticism for the opening of a single tap during his visit to KwaZulu-Natal over the weekend.
The event marked the official opening of the Bhekindoda Water Scheme in the Jozini local municipality.
A widely circulated video captured the moment when Ramaphosa, accompanied by officials and a small crowd, engaged in conversation with an elderly woman who received cheers as she turned on the tap.
Ramaphosa is then seen washing his hands with the water from the tap, but he does not drink from it, raising concerns about water safety.
[WATCH] President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Jozini local municipality in KwaZulu-Natal for the official opening of the Bhekindoda water scheme. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/lnGG3fBzKn
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 26, 2023
According to The Citizen, the Democratic Alliance (DA) criticised the ceremony, with Chris Pappas, the Mayor of the uMngeni Municipality, calling it a new low for rural development.
“Ramaphosa’s trip to KZN is one disaster after another. The KZN government has reached a new low by getting the president to cut the ribbon on a single tap. This is how they are going to develop rural areas: one tap every 30 years,” the report quoted Pappas as saying.
Social media users expressed mixed sentiments, with some questioning the significance of the event and others speculating on the state of water challenges in the region.
Residents of Jozini reportedly face serious potable water challenges despite the presence of the Pongolapoort Dam.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
