20-year dry spell for Bloodriver villagers
EFF supplies villagers from Bloodriver, Dairying with water after they have been buying water from neighbouring villages and towns for the past 20 years
POLOKWANE – EFF officials have been providing villagers from Bloodriver, Dairying with water using their own bakkies for a short while now but were surprised to discover a windmill in the village that can be used to provide villagers with water, if it were functional.
Villagers say they have been living without water for more than 20 years and claim their plea for assistance from the Polokwane Municipality has fallen on deaf ears. One of the villagers, Eric Ndou, says the pipes which are connected to the reservoir, for some unknown reason, do not supply water.
“We have been buying water for over 20 years. That means we have spent a fortune on a basic necessity”
According to Ndou, the area was used for farming in the past and the windmill was installed for agricultural purposes but hasn’t been in use for some years now.
“One morning a man came and disconnected the pipes and water pump from the windmill. When we inquired about his activities, he said he was assigned to fix the windmill. However, to our surprise, the man just disappeared after disconnecting the windmill. There is someone in our community who is keen to buy pipes and a water pump for the windmill but he is afraid the municipality might object to that,” Ndou explained.
Another villager, Frans Phoshoko, says it pains him to see water taps in the street and in many households, yet there is no water for the villagers. He says there is enough water in the area for the windmill to provide water to the entire community.
“Our village is situated just a few kilometres from Seshego but we don’t receive the same quality services they do. Different companies came to install water pipes but they disappear without a trace without connecting the water or resolving our problems,” Phoshoko says.
One of the older residents, Rosina Nare (80), says the village had its own reservoir years ago but it was vandalised. “The reservoir was used by white farmers to supply their cattle with water. However, it was not properly sealed which led to the risk of infection for residents who made use of the water,” said Rosina.
EFF Regional Chairperson, Ronny Malema, says local government has neglected Mmotong villagers. According to Malema, newer villages in the area have access to resources and services, while the older villages struggle to get access to basic necessities like clean water and electricity.
EFF PR Councillor in ward 11 and Head of Moletjie Cluster, Willy Sathekge, says they will take up the matter with the Polokwane Municipality to find a resolution. He added that the Mmotong community consists of poor people who simply cannot afford to buy water.
“These people deserve the same services as any other community. The Polokwane Municipality should attend to the matter as soon as possible,” Sathekge said.
Polokwane Municipality Stakeholder Relations Officer, Disree Manyane, says she was unaware of the community’s complaints but promised to follow up with the municipality’s water services department.
