The Eastern Cape based government watchdog, the Public Service Accountability Monitor (PSAM), is calling for national government intervention to address the water crisis in Makhanda.

The university town has been experiencing water related challenges for decades due to a lack of maintenance of its ageing water infrastructure.

Recently the ratepayers including Rhodes University were up in arms with the Makana Local Municipality about the water supply crisis.

This prompted COGTA in the province to hold discussions with the municipal leaders to find a lasting solution to the crisis.

PSAM Director, Jay Kruuse says the municipality has dismally failed to deliver essential services to its citizens.

“There is a failure at a political level, there is a failure at administrative level, there is mismanagement across the board we have received 5 disclaimed audit opinion in a row the evidence is overwhelming we need national government to intervene with the support of provincial government and we need a complete overhaul of this municipality.”

Water Crisis | Government urged to intervene in Makhanda water crisis