This comes after the Mopani District Municipality (MDM), the water authority in the region, initially stated that the recent heavy rains were to blame for the dry taps.
A statement which was released by MDM said that water production was halted, because it was difficult to operate the raw water inlet as it was covered in debris. However, a source who had the opportunity to access the Nkowankowa Water Plant, found that there were four pumps of which only two were working.

MDM spokesman, Odas Ngobeni, confirmed that two pumps are indeed working, but the plant only has three pumps not four as the source stated. Ngobeni also said that the pump situation affects the volume of potable water produced daily. “We are going to procure a floating pump which should help improve the pumping rate for raw water, ultimately that will mean more water produced and reticulated,” he said.
Ngobeni added that they need about a day or two (Thursday or Friday) to fill up the reservoirs.

Also read: ‘We want water’ – protests flare up in Nkowankowa

However, he says that MDM officials are being prevented from doing their job by people who call themselves ‘concerned groups’. Frustration with the lack of water has led to members of the community blocking roads and burning tyres as a form of dissatisfaction with the water issue.
Currently (Wednesday, February 22) the roads are clear as the protesters no longer feel safe. Happy Mathye, a resident, said he is disappointed at the people of Nkowankowa as they are not vocal about the situation and they do not want to take part in demonstrations that will ultimately contribute to resolving the community’s water problem.