PHALABORWA – Residents of Namakgale’s Ward 7 have been without water for weeks, a situation that Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality Mayor Merriam Malatji has attributed to the tampering of water valves in the area.

Vandalism confirmed by municipal team

According to the mayor, her artisan team was alerted to a possible vandalism incident involving water infrastructure in Namakgale. The team responded immediately and confirmed that several valves had indeed been tampered with.

Malatji said the main supply valve was deliberately interfered with, cutting water to key areas including:

• Maphuta Malatji Hospital
• Maphuta households
• Section 24
• RDP houses

Water back briefly, then gone again

Despite repairs to the affected valve, the water crisis appears far from resolved. Some residents in Ward 7, particularly those living near the Namakgale Cross, report that their taps remain dry days after the valve was restored.

Residents said they had already endured two weeks without water when the 8AB pump broke down. Water briefly returned on Sunday, June 8, after the pump was repaired, but the supply stopped the following day again.

Residents demand answers

Since then, residents say they have been waiting without clear communication on the cause of the continued disruption.

“We have not had water for over a week now, going into the second week,” said one resident who asked to remain anonymous.

“We honestly do not know the real reason behind the water shortage. We appeal to our mayor to continue digging deep into this matter because we cannot afford to live like this. The team must also search for and fix all leaking pipes in our area.”

Appeal to stop vandalism

The resident also appealed to community members to stop vandalising water infrastructure.

“If the valves are being tampered with, what reason could someone possibly have for doing this? People must stop interfering with water and electricity infrastructure because innocent residents are the ones who suffer,” she said.