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Johannesburg Water's Prepaid Meters Wreak Havoc In The Lives Of People In Phiri, Soweto

ANTI-PRIVATISATION FORUM - PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday 27th July 2004

Launch Of Research Report

Thursday, 29 July 2004 at 11h00 at the Phiri Hall in Soweto (directions below)

Prepaid water meters have been the signature of Joburg Water's 'Operation Gcin 'amanzi' campaign, launched in September 2003, with the aim of 'improving' water service delivery in the townships of the greater Johannesburg area. They have been sold as South Africa's own homegrown solution to the problem of access to water, a basic necessity in the lives of people. Through prepaid meters, people have been promised better billing systems, improved service delivery, and the ability to 'self-manage' their consumption of (and payment for) water. Joburg Water claims that people are happy with prepaid water meters in the areas where they have been installed.

The Coalition Against Water Privatisation and the Anti-Privatisation Forum have recently conducted research in Phiri, Soweto, to test these claims made by Joburg Water. The findings of this project, including a questionnaire-based survey of 174 households in Phiri, will be launched in a report on

The report shows how Joburg Water's claim that 98% of Phiri residents have agreed to prepaid water meters is a lie. It also shows how the 6 kilolitres of water promised free to every South African household does not even speak to half the needs of households in Phiri. The research report is the product of the collective work of members of the Coalition Against Water Privatisation (including students, academics and community members) and the Anti-Privatisation Forum. It represents a new and participatory approach to research and is interesting in its own design. At the launch, members of the media will receive copies of the research report and will have the opportunity to engage with members of the community of Phiri who conducted the research and were responsible for the production of the report, residents of Phiri who have experienced life with prepaid water meters as well as those few who have resisted and been punished by Joburg Water for it. At present there are 4 families living without access to water (not even their free 6 kilolitres!) in Phiri as a result of their refusal to sign onto the prepaid system. Members of the community, the Phiri Residents' Concerned Forum, the Soweto Electricity Crisis Committee and the Anti-Privatisation Forum will also be present.

Individual interviews will be possible with the media after the launch. Journalists will also be able to go on a tour of Phiri to get first hand insite into the problems being created by prepaid water meters.

To read the full report click here  [1.32 MB]

For more info contact: Jennifer/Jabu: (+27)-073.475.0966 - APF: (+27)-011-3394121

Directions to Phiri Hall

From M1south get onto Old Potch Road; travel along Old Potch Road past Baragwanath Hospital, Vista Soweto University, Moroka police station, Ibhongo High School; after Ibhongo High School pass 1 set of traffic lights; at the 2nd set of traffic lights, turn right (at the old ESOR garage); travel past 2 schools, at the 3rd school, stop - opposite (on the right) is Phiri Hall.

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