JOHANNESBURG – A national picture of the water and drought situation will be painted at a briefing scheduled for today.
Rustenburg is the latest municipality to impose water restrictions.
It says the water supply is taking massive strain.
Meanwhile, City of Joburg officials who imposed restrictions on Monday, insist the situation is under control.
But they’re warning residents they will face hefty fines, if they ignore the rules
But despite us being urged to use water sparingly, one official claims there is no drought.
“Let me start by saying we don’t have a crisis,” Matshidiso Mfikoe from Environment and Infrastructure Services said.
“While it is too hot and there is no rain we are not having a drought. Our challenge is that demand is over stripping supply , so people draw more water than what we have in our reservoir.”
“Hence we are continuously saying to people don’t waste water, don’t water your garden between 6am and 6 pm .
Meanwhile, the dry weather is hitting Africa’s oldest game reserve hard, in KwaZulu-Natal.
Wildlife officials are looking for ways to protect animals at the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.
At least six rhinos and eight buffaloes have died because of dry conditions.
Parts of the Hluhluwe River have completely dried up.
Plans by the park’s disaster management to drill river beds for water have cost about R2-million a month.
Visitors to the popular game reserve are also facing scheduled water cuts.
