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Residents of Mthatha in the Eastern Cape have described the constant interruption of water supply in the area as unbearable. The area under the OR Tambo District Municipality is currently experiencing water cuts.
The area of Bhongweni has not had running water for over six months. The municipality is awaiting a report from the Special Investigating Unit after it was fingered in allegations of corruption amounting to millions of rand.
It’s alleged the municipality paid R167 million to a bulk water supplier without any work being done.
This started with a social media post from residents expressing their disappointment with the municipality’s failure to provide water services.
Mthatha resident Nokwanda Mpoza says, “The water issue is really affecting us. The tank has not been filled for over two months. The other tap we get water from had run dry. I was helped by a neighbour who had tanks. He helps me so I can drink, do laundry and wash my body. The water issue is a problem.”
Another resident, Thabo Sibangela says, “We have had his water issue for a long time now. There is a water storage system behind Eskom. We were told it will address the water issue. However, it is now leaking and people go there to cart water from the leakage. Last year, we went to OR Tambo and pleased with the water department. We were supplied with water tanks but most of last year the tanks were not filled up until next week.”
Water shortage protests in the Eastern Cape:
OR Tambo District Municipality Spokesperson Zimkhitha Macingwane reiterated that the biggest challenge the municipality is facing is illegal water pipe connections.
“Throughout the district, we have challenges, mainly in rural areas with illegal connections. When we put water supply, we put stand-alone taps 200 metres apart from each other. We know there is a certain amount of water to be utilised by these consumers. But, you find other areas are developing and people want to develop their lives, then they connect illegally and take water to their houses. If we can take a tour to rural areas that you mention, you will realise that people have connected illegally. When they do that it affects the entire community. Because when there are pipe bursts, people will not report because they know they are violating the law. However, in Bhongweni even though we know people have connected illegally, as a caring municipality we have provided five water tanks using water carting system.”
However, the community complains that the temporary water tanks are not filled on a frequent basis and are a nightmare to access.
“We have not had water since June last year. It only came back for two days and was interrupted once again. We use wheelbarrows and fetch water by the Eskom building.” says another resident, Daphney Gopi.
The municipality says it will conduct awareness campaigns to educate residents about the importance of preserving water. However, it could not provide definite time frames to eradicate the water scarcity issue in the area.
Water crisis persists in the rural parts of the Eastern Cape:
