In this file picture, residents of Asanda Informal settlement in Strand have been living without water for the past 5 days. Picture: Phando Jikelo/IndependentNewspapers
Residents of Delmas in Mpumalanga have been grappling with a severe water crisis since Rand Water began maintenance in June.
Despite assurances from Rand Water that almost all affected areas would have clean, running water by now, the Victor Khanye Local Municipality community is still waiting anxiously for the situation to improve.
For eight days, the residents have been without water, severely impacting daily life.
Households are struggling, healthcare facilities like public clinics are facing disruptions, and small businesses such as car washes and laundry services are suffering.
Schools around Delmas have been temporarily closed, leaving parents concerned about their children’s idle time.
Duduzile Mnguni, a resident from Delmas Extension 2, expressed her concerns about the impact on students, particularly matriculants.
“I am worried about the Grade 12s,” she said.
“This is their last term, and soon they will be writing their preliminary exams. They’ll fall behind if this continues.”
Public health facilities are also feeling the strain.
Pretty Mahlangu, a cleaner at the Delmas local clinic, described the challenges of working without water.
“We go to work, but we can’t do much because there’s no water. The nurses only see a few patients, and the toilets are not working,” she said in frustration.
The community’s anger is palpable, with some residents considering protests at the municipality offices to demand answers.
They are particularly frustrated by the lack of communication from the municipality and the insufficient supply of water tanks.
In response to the crisis, the Victor Khanye Local Municipality issued a statement on Thursday acknowledging the situation.
The statement indicated that water had begun to trickle into both the Delmas and Botleng reservoirs from the Bloemendal and Stompie Fountain reservoirs.
However, progress on the Modderbee Bulk line has been slow, and water has yet to reach the Sundra Reservoir.
The municipality said the Botleng and Delmas reservoirs would be allowed to fill up before water is distributed to the community, likely late on Thursday or early on Friday, depending on the volume.
IOL