KABOKWENI – Several passengers who were injured in a bus accident on the road to KaNyamazane on Wednesday morning had to be rushed to Rob Ferreira Hospital and Mediclinic Nelspruit since Themba Hospital, which was much closer to the scene, was still without water.
Water woes at this hospital have been ongoing since 2011. In total 86 commuters were admitted to Rob Ferreira alone. The entire area of KaBokweni in which the hospital is situated, was left without water that day.
Mr Dumisani Malamule, spokesman for the Department of Health, said that the low-lying areas of the hospital had water, while the upper areas didn’t. The municipality was supplying water to the hospital with tankers.
However, Malamule insisted that service delivery at the hospital remained at a high level. He added that no patients of Themba had to be transferred to other hospitals because of this crisis. He concluded by saying that Rob Ferreira was able to render quality care to all those who were injured in the accident, despite the fact that it had received a huge influx of patients.
Ms Bessie Pienaar, communication officer at Mbombela Municipality, on enquiry said that there was a problem at one of the raw water pump stations from May 29 to June 3, as well as at Clear Water Pump in Pienaar from June 3 to 7. These pumps have to pump water to Pienaar’s reservoirs which supply Kabokweni with water.
“Already by this time there was a water supply backlog as per the supply schedule of the respective areas within the entire Northern part of Nsikazi South. Hence the backlog was extended until Wednesday,” she added.
Supply to the all the northern areas of Nsikazi South, including Kabokweni and surrounding areas, was restored yesterday.
“The municipality, SembCorp and Rand Water officials are closely monitoring the distribution network for any possible valve interruptions by the public, unauthorised connections and possible unknown leaks,” Pienaar added.
