SECUNDA - Residents in the Govan Mbeki Municipality say they have been without water for three weeks.
With reservoir levels critically low, and some reservoirs completely dry, frustrations are mounting as the municipality and Rand Water continue to shift the blame.
The municipality owes Rand Water more than R800-million. However, it insists the debt is not behind the latest supply disruptions.
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In Bethal, many residents are relying on boreholes and water supplied by local farmers.
“They are giving us the water, the tankers, everything for free,” says Hennie Bekkers from AfriForum.
The crisis extends beyond Bethal, affecting Secunda, Trichardt, Evander and other high-lying areas.
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“It is almost a month now since the water issue,” says resident Doctor Dlamini.
“We are struggling, even our children have been affected at school,” he adds.
Municipal Manager Elliot Maseko says Rand Water previously informed the municipality that it was experiencing low suction at its supply points.
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“A few weeks ago, Rand Water informed us through a media statement and in writing that they were experiencing low suction at their supply points,” he says.
According to Maseko, this was allegedly caused by a heatwave and increased demand in other areas, resulting in water consumption exceeding available supply.
Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo says supply interruptions cannot automatically be attributed to the utility’s bulk water supply.
“Several factors contribute to the challenge, including high water consumption and increasing demand, power interruptions, and the time it takes for reservoirs to recover after periods of high demand,” she says.
Meanwhile, AfriForum has lodged a formal complaint with the Public Protector over the ongoing water crisis.