The municipality has promised to install 10 water pipes in and around phase 1, 2 and 3 of #Winne Mandela Square. All the community is asking for is at least one, as this is their third year without water.
South African National Civic Organisation’s (Sanco) regional chair, Beauty Pheto, contacted the Herald to try and assist activist Sunnyboy Seabelo (47) and councillor Thapelo Mahalepa (35). They have been fighting an endless battle with the J.B. Marks Municipality.
Sunnyboy and Thapelo walked the Herald along a two-kilometre path that felt more like a hike to where they get their water daily. About a kilometre into the walk, we encountered a citizen with a leg condition. She was sitting with two buckets and a small amount of water for her to do her laundry. Due to her situation, she explained that she could not get water herself and had to ask her neighbours for help.
“Because the place we go to for water is extremely far, I have offered to help where I can,” said a good Samaritan.
“I get 20 litres for her and then I have to walk back and do the same for myself,” he explained.
As we continue on the walk in the scorching heat, Solly explains that they sometimes walk the same path about four to five times daily, just to get water.
“We have begged and fought for the municipality to hear us, but they don’t respond,” he said.
“Covid has made issues even worse because no one is ever in the office. When we do find people there, no one wants to account for the false promises of installing 10 pipes. We’re only asking for one,” councillor Thapelo pleaded.
They even have a document from J.B. Marks stating that they would provide water pipes for the community ASAP. They only came with one tank, once, and that was it,” Thapelo said, discouraged.
They initially asked for stands to be allocated but, when it took too long for the municipality to respond, they took matters into their own hands and formed #Winne Mandela Square.
“The municipality knows we are here; they know exactly why we moved here!” Thapelo said, frustrated. “Our people are suffering and we need to help them,” he concluded.
The Herald asked the municipality for comment, but none was forthcoming by the time of publication.
