Dire water situation dismays Phalaborwa residents
A South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC) report on the state of water provision in Limpopo, declared that Mopani violated Section 27 of the Constitution, which provides for the right of residents to have access to sufficient water.
There seems to be no end to the water challenges in Phalaborwa as some residents go for days and even weeks without a drop. This has caused the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo to write a letter of intent to lay criminal charges against the Mopani District Municipality (MDM) as the water authority in the region; the MEC of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (CoGSTHA), Basikopo Makamu; and the Department of Water and Sanitation.
The letter on Tuesday, March 12 gave MDM 48 hours to improve the water distribution, otherwise, it would lay a criminal charge. “The damning report last year found that not only was Mopani contravening Section 27 of the Constitution, but they further recommended that the MDM comply with regulation 3 of the compulsory standards provided for in the Water Services Act and Compulsory Standards, relating to the provision of clean drinking water,” explained Lindy Wilson, DA Limpopo provincial head.
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Wilson further stated that the legislation states that no person may be without water for more than seven days a year. Phalaborwa’s urban residents have been without water for longer than 10 days, while rural residents have been without sufficient access to water for years. The DA’s Clr Sybrandt de Beer, told the Herald that 49 President Brand Street and 19 Knoppiesdoring Street have no water. He said streets such as Robert Broom, Hall, Lekkerbreek, Kiaat, Combretum, Raintree, and Knoppiesdoring have no water when the water levels drop below 50%.
He said Sealene and Nelgro Flats also struggle when the water supply is low. A resident of Mandela Section E in Namakgale told the Herald that they have not had any water for more than eight days and there are no water trucks to supply them with water. “When we inquire about the water shortage, we are told it is because of a pipe burst, but how many times can a pipe burst?” the disgruntled resident asked.
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MDM spokesperson, Odas Ngobeni, said the reason for the lack of water in Phalaborwa is the Lepelle Northern Water reservoir and plant. “Our role in Phalaborwa is very limited, we pay Lepelle to distribute water to local communities, but it seems they are struggling to do so.” Ngobeni concluded by stating that they do not owe Lepelle, because if they did, Lepelle would release a statement stating the reason for cutting water is lack of payment from MDM.
