Sol Plaatje fires EPWP worker after viral water meter video

AN EXPANDED Public Works Programme (EPWP) worker at the Sol Plaatje Municipality, whose employment was reportedly terminated after he posted a video on social media slamming the new water meters, intends to challenge his dismissal at the bargaining council.

Some residents have reported that they do not want the newly installed meters on their properties, claiming they are already leaking.

Workers employed on the project last week complained that they were being rushed to install a set number of meters per day and that they were unable to meet their targets.

In the video, former EPWP worker Stoffel Martins claimed that the new water meters would cost ratepayers as much as R500 for just two buckets of water.

“Residents will not be able to afford to fill their washing machines with the dirty water that it supplies. The mayor and premier do not have these water meters,” he said.

He also alleged that officials were enriching themselves through the R2.5 billion Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) fund, while local businesses were not benefiting from any tenders.

Martins was charged with misconduct, violating the code of ethics and municipal policies, and spreading misinformation by discouraging members of the community from supporting the service delivery programme.

He was reminded that, as an EPWP worker, he was a representative of the municipality and that his behaviour was “unacceptable".

Martins was warned that his actions had the potential to "harm the reputation of the municipality and negatively influence public perception of municipal initiatives”.

Speaking to the DFA, Martins noted that he had served eight years at the Sol Plaatje Municipality.

“I lost my job for speaking the truth. I am not representing any political party. Now I am without a source of income and I am the only breadwinner in the family,” he said.

Community Alliance South Africa (CASA) convener Herbert Japhta rejected the smart water meters.

He believed that both the water and electricity smart meters were a means of generating profits for the municipality, where residents were expected to pay more for basic services.

“Unemployment is rising and residents cannot afford to pay higher prices for less electricity and water,” he said.

He condemned the termination of Martins’ employment and believed that he had the right to freedom of expression.

“This is while no action is taken when the ANC makes use of state resources to campaign,” he added.

Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thabo Mothibi accused CASA and its leader Stoffel Martins of “peddling falsehoods and inciting the public”.

He indicated that a number of water meters had been vandalised over the weekend.

“We request the public to desist from destroying municipal property. The new meters are being installed to replace leaking water meters, eliminate interim readings, ensure accurate billing, and address water losses,” he said.

Mothibi stated that the installation of the water meters formed part of the R2.5 billion Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) grant from the National Treasury to upgrade water infrastructure.

He pointed out that the new water meters were conventional, not prepaid.

“The potable water supply usage and payment system within the jurisdiction of the Sol Plaatje Municipality has not changed to a prepaid system,” he emphasised.