Refengotso Section resident Jabu Dladla on his way to collect water at one the communual tapes in the area as there's no water coming out of his house tap for past 8 weeks. Pictured on 3 May 2023, in Denisville. Picture: Nigel Sibanda
The right to water entitles everyone to have access to safe, affordable and reliable drinking water.
For the people of Refengkgotso in Deneysville, Free State, this has not been the case, with some only getting brownish, muddy water, but most haven’t had water for a month now.
The water issue in the area started in 2008, but having no water is a new low.
ALSO READ: It’s either muddy water or no water for suffering residents in Deneysville
You have to feel for local resident Jabu Dladla, who is 60 years old. He said: “I am forced to walk for approximately two hours to go and fetch water daily using my wheelbarrow. It is really not easy for people my age to do this daily but its not like one has any other choice … because we cannot live without water.”
The Metsimaholo local municipality, led by the Democratic Alliance through a minority government, is failing the Dladlas of this world, even though they insist they are doing everything in their power to restore water in the area.
It’s time to start putting the needs of the people before your own, and blaming load shedding for your shortcomings won’t cut it.
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