The DA will table a motion calling on the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality to reassess their water provision in Somaphepha Village as residents are battling an inconsistent water supply.
The village which is located along the R555 Road on the outskirts of town has been without water for over two months now. Recently, the DA communicated that the municipality was struggling to pay contractors who are responsible for providing water to this village and the surrounding areas.
It has since emerged that the municipality outsourced only five water trucks to service areas without water. These include Mhluzi, Mfube, Uitkyk, Doorkop, Somaphepha and other surrounding farms and villages.
The DA reached out to a daycare owner in Somaphepha Village who detailed her struggle with water and how it was affecting their operations.
In a nutshell, she explained that she has to be up at 4am to go find water, and return at 9am to start her day and welcome kids into the daycare. It is disappointing to note that residents have to travel hours to go use a hand pump situated on someone’s private land and extract water into their own tankers.
The truth of the matter is that the municipality is failing to deal with the water crisis in this village.
Their officials have shown lack of accountability and a blatant disregard to the needs of residents. The DA reiterates that the influx of people in Doornkop calls for an urgent intervention from the municipality.
It is unacceptable for residents to be deprived of water, a basic human right. The DA will not relent, the municipality needs to recognise residents of Doornkop and surrounding villages.