LIMPOPO- Vhembe Mayor, Dowelani Nenguda has called on the communities to refrain from vandalising water infrastructure such as pipelines and sewer lines, to allow for the smooth running of clean water.
This comes after pipelines in Mapitas in Phiphidi and Duthuni were damaged by angry community members during recent protests in the area.
Nenguda was worried about the sentiments of the communities around Nandoni Dam, after the closure of the Nandoni Dam plant, which resulted in hospitals such as the Malamulele Hospital operating without water.
“We understand that most of the communities are without water and we are working hard to resolve the challenge. When communities have water, let’s try to resolve the challenge in a peaceful manner without damaging water infrastructure,” said Nenguda.
He was speaking on May 29 after meeting with the communities around Phiphidi and Nandoni, who went on the rampage causing further damage to infrastructure in Mapitas in Phiphidi village.
Meanwhile, four hospitals in the Vhembe district were facing dire water shortages due to community protests by the communities in Thumalela.
Tshilidzini, Donald Fraser, Louis Trichardt and Malamulele hospitals are all without water.
The spokesperson for the Department of Health, Neil Shikwambana said the protesting communities destroyed the water infrastructure leading to these facilities.
“They have also closed the Nandoni Dam which has been the main water source since late in May. Due to the closure of the dam, delivering water through water tankers to the hospitals will not be possible.”
He said the department is worried that the closure of the dam and the destruction of infrastructure may result in cases of cholera, as has been reported in two provinces thus far.
“The department is working with all stakeholders to try and prevent the disease, but community-induced water shortages will compromise our efforts.
“The department wishes to request community members to be considerate when venting their service delivery frustrations as the blocking of water supply inconveniences healthcare services,” he added.
At the time of going to press, the Vhembe District Municipality confirmed that the technical team had been dispatched to affected areas to ensure that communities will be receiving water.
