Water challenges in Nkowankowa cause chaos
Leadership from Mopani District Municipality and Greater Tzaneen Municipality will address angry residents at the Nkowankowa Community Hall today at 17:00.
This follows protest actions by employees of Mopani District Municipality in the water and sanitation department which resulted in Nkowankowa’s water shortage over the past three days.
The employees were protesting over salary disputes and the protest was called off on Wednesday.
Angry residents of Nkowankowa took to the streets and blocked all the main roads in the area on Thursday.
Vehicles had to use alternative routes to their destinations.
Relevant authorities intervened and promised the residents that they will have water by Friday.
When the promise was not delivered the residents disrupted classes on Friday morning by ordering learners to leave school premises.
All schools in the area were affected.
Greater Tzaneen Municipality spokesperson, Neville Ndlala posted photos of damaged water pipes on the municipality’s Facebook page, saying the damage will take up to 48 hours to be fixed and urged residents to allow water tankers to distribute water in the area.
“The pipe is damaged at the culvert and next to a railway line which makes it even more difficult, but a team will work around the clock to fix the situation. The police will also be stationed there to protect those fixing the pipe after numerous threats from some community members,” he said.
Mopani District Municipality pokesperson, Neil Shikwambana said challenges of water disruption in the area are being attended to.
“A service provider has been appointed and is on site repairing the pipeline. The Mopani District Municipality will continuously notify communities of developments,” said Shikwambana.
