The ANC is claiming victory in its lawsuit over exorbitant water tariffs against the City of Cape Town, which apparently conceded to its demands, says a Cape Argus report. However, lawyers letters show the city is refusing to agree that it will not cut the water supply of defaulting consumers. The ANC in the Western Cape filed a class action in the Western Cape High Court on behalf of four residents, that seeks to have all water and sanitation tariffs increases set aside.

It also wants certain sections of the city’s water amendment by-law declared unconstitutional.

The ANC is also demanding that the city be interdicted from disconnecting the water supply of residents.

This is part of section 2.1 of the ANC’s papers. Although the city is yet to file papers, the ANC’s lawyers – Sam & Vepile Attorneys – said in a letter that additional documents were served on the city on 12 September.

In a letter, Dan Sam said: ‘We were advised the relief sought in section 2.1 of the notice of motion is extremely wide and at this point the city is inclined to oppose that part of the relief of the application.’

He said that in a telephone conversation, the city official indicated that the city will not be opposing any other relief sought.

‘The city will be considering all four affidavits in order to formulate a view on the application.’

Sam pointed out that a Rule 16A notice at the High Court invites the public to apply to join the application as either friends of the court or additional applications.

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