Giyani residents, in Limpopo are accusing commercial farming giant, ZZ2 of diverting water from the local Middle Letaba Dam to the farm.
The dam is the source of water for over 50 communities, livestock, and marine life in and around Giyani. The dam level has been at an all-time low since 2007 after ZZ2 erected walls in one of the rivers feeding the dam.
Residents have filed several complaints with the Department of Water and Sanitation to intervene, but without success.
Giyani community leader, Vusi Chauke says the diversion of water is affecting communities.
“This issue of ZZ2 started a long time ago in the early 2000s. It’s affecting the communities because the water that is supposed to be used by the community at large for livestock and consumption is used for irrigation upstream. We have raised the issue with the Department of water affairs and with the Minister Senzo Mchunu about the issue. They say they have started with the demolition of the dams, but we don’t have proof of that.” adds Chauke.
[WATCH]: Community members engage President @CyrilRamaphosa on challenges of water scarcity during his oversight visit to the #GiyaniWaterProject on Sunday. #PresidentialImbizo #LeaveNoOneBehind 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/zWJPClNkJR
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) December 12, 2022
[WATCH]: Community members engage President @CyrilRamaphosa on challenges of water scarcity during his oversight visit to the #GiyaniWaterProject on Sunday. #PresidentialImbizo #LeaveNoOneBehind 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/wMzS4r1X04
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) December 12, 2022
Meanwhile, the Giyani Bulk Water Project was launched in December 2022. It was initiated in 2014 to address severe water challenges in the transfer of water from Nandoni Dam to augment Nsami & Middle Letaba water systems. President Cyril Ramaphosa and Mchunu went to the Greater Giyani Local Municipality for an oversight visit to witness the launch of the Giyani Bulk Water project in December.
[WATCH]: President @CyrilRamaphosa visits the Xikukwani Village Middle Letaba Canal as part of his oversight visit to the #GiyaniWaterProject #LeaveNoOneBehind 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/NFEgAq8j3g
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) December 11, 2022
The Giyani Bulk Water Project was initiated in 2014 to address severe water challenges in the Greater Giyani Local Municipality through the transfer of water from Nandoni Dam to augment Nsami & Middle Letaba water systems. pic.twitter.com/HGkB44JTh2
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) December 11, 2022
ZZ2 management has released a statement denying the allegations. The farm’s Water Resource Manager, Antonie van Staden also says politicians are using ZZ2 as a scapegoat for water challenges in Giyani.
She adds that the concerns over water shortages by residents are legitimate.
