Water shortage cause for concern
Staff members at the Nkomazi magistrate's office have been suffering from a lack of basic services for a while now. The building has not had running water since last year and the problem does not seem to be receiving any attention from the relevant authorities.
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TONGA – Staff members at the Nkomazi magistrate’s office have been suffering from a lack of basic services for a while now. The building has not had running water since last year and the problem does not seem to be receiving any attention from the relevant authorities.
When Mpumalanga News approached Mr Jabulani Mhlanga, the caretaker of the building, he refused to comment on record, saying he was not liable to speak to the media, but was under the impression that the water supply had been restored.
“I am not mandated to say anything to you. I do not know who told you the story or whatsoever, but what I can tell you is we do have running water and everything is fine,” he said.
This is contradictory to what the majority of the staff members had told the newspaper. They have reportedly had to bring their own water since last year, and had to walk to the mall to respond to the call of nature. “We have to bring bottles of water with us every day, coupled with R2 for the toilet at Tonga Mall,” said one member.
According to them, this also prevented them from rendering proper services to the clients.
Another problem at the premises is the elderly and children who cannot help but surrender to the call of nature while waiting for service.
“Water is life, and we can certainly attest to the fact that we do not have life in here,” said a staff member.
It still remains unclear whether this problem will be fixed soon, until then, staff members will have to carry their own water to work.
The regional manager could not be reached for comment at the time of going to press.