On Mamelodi water challenges, Brink says Ramaphosa is shifting blame

JOHANNESBURG - Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink says the metro is struggling to address ongoing water challenges due to the failures of the national government.

This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa told Mamelodi residents that water should be provided by local government.

Ramaphosa visited the area on Sunday, as part of the voter registration weekend programme.

The City of Tshwane, once an African National Congress (ANC) stronghold, is now run by a Democratic Alliance-led multiparty coalition.

READ: Ramaphosa says Tshwane visit reaffirms that Gauteng is ANC's home

Brink said while the city is working to provide consistent water supply to areas including Mamelodi, this is a reflection of the national government.

"The president would rather shift the blame to other people than to take responsibility because the space we operate in local government, to a very large degree, depends on the performance of national government."

Brink said Ramaphosa's comments were political.

"We understand that the president is under pressure, under his government we've had more load shedding than ever before. The extended lockdown killed jobs, and threatened businesses.”