Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has issued an apology after facing mounting backlash over remarks he made about the province’s ongoing water crisis during a recent media briefing.
The controversy erupted after Lesufi said he too experiences water shortages, revealing that in some instances he had to shower at a hotel in order to attend official commitments.
Addressing the matter at the briefing, Lesufi said: “Today we are going to talk about water, that people think that if there is no water, ourselves, our families who got special water, we don’t. We also go through, I mean in some instances I have to go to a certain hotel so that I have to go to my commitment. We also go through the same inconvenience like any other person, there is no special water or a special pipe that is designed to save these other people and not save these other people.
“Our families, our relatives, ourselves, our constituencies, they suffer the same pain. We don’t have water when communities don’t have water, but what we need to do, we’ve got the responsibility to fix the problem. We are coming to you that the problem is almost fixed.”
However, his reference to showering at a hotel sparked backlash, with some residents describing the remarks as insensitive amid widespread water supply interruptions affecting communities across Gauteng.
In a subsequent statement, he issued an apology, saying he “sincerely apologises for any misunderstanding or offence caused” by his comments made while clarifying the water challenges facing the province.
He acknowledged that his reference to a hotel “may have been interpreted in a manner that suggested that the impact of water challenges differs based on one’s position in society,” adding that this was never his intention.
Lesufi emphasised that water shortages and supply interruptions are a hardship for all residents, regardless of their social, economic, or professional standing.
“Access to water is a basic human right, and any disruption affects families, communities, businesses, and institutions across the province,” he said.
“The water challenges we are experiencing inconvenience everyone equally. No one is immune to the frustration and disruption caused by water shortages, and I regret any impression that suggested otherwise.”
Lesufi reiterated his commitment to working with all spheres of government, municipalities, and relevant stakeholders to urgently address infrastructure challenges and ensure a reliable and sustainable water supply for all residents.
Among those criticising Lesufi was Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane, who wrote: “Totally out of touch. Is this the modern version of ‘let them eat cake’?”
Media personality Redi Tlabi also weighed in, stating: “Oh! My! Word! Did the Premier of Gauteng, say, with his entire chest out, that he goes to a hotel to take a bath when he does not have water. In an election year? He didn’t think to keep this to himself? No EQ! No sense! No heart! How nice for @Lesufi that he can go to a hotel! What a gift to opposition party communication strategists. They must not waste this moment and voters must reward him for this callousness and hubris.”
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za
Saturday Star