It has been alleged that this immoral act was perpetrated by “water mafias”. 

The SAHRC wishes to condemn this conduct in the strongest possible terms. It is unacceptable that an organisation such as Gift of the Givers, or any organisation providing humanitarian aid during a moment of crisis, should be threatened, obstructed or intimidated from carrying out crucial work to save lives and deliver the much needed relief. This criminal conduct flies in the face of ubuntu and is against the values of humanness and compassion which define the South African society. 

The SAHRC appreciates the essential role played by humanitarian organisations, such as Gift of the Givers, and urges them not to be deterred. The SAHRC commends the swift work of the South African Police Service to ensure that humanitarian organisations and workers are safe when carrying out their much-need work of providing essential aid and relief to affected communities. The SAHRC calls upon the South African Police Service to leave no stone unturned in finding those who threatened workers from the Gift of the Givers and ensure that they are brought to book. The SAHRC will meet with the South African Police Service in the province to get a status update

on the reported cases of  extortion especially those targeted at individuals and organisations providing relief efforts.    

The SAHRC has been concerned by the emergence of “water mafias” in the country. These syndicates have been deliberately sabotaging water infrastructure for the purposes of profiteering. The SAHRC is currently finalising a policy brief which delves deeper into the systemic sabotage of essential water infrastructure by “water mafias”. It is regrettable that these “water mafias” are now spreading their tentacles to even obstruct and intimidate charity organisations from providing essential aid in times of humanitarian need. 

The SAHRC calls on law enforcement agencies and other state actors to do their outmost best to root out these “water mafia” syndicates which want to sacrifice the right to water at the altar of profit making. The SAHRC continues to sympathise with those displaced due to the flooding in the Eastern Cape and reiterates its heartfelt condolences to the families that lost their loved ones due to the flooding. 

Ends