Water shortages remain a challenge for Ba-Phalaborwa residents. At times, water is only available once in three weeks. “Matiko-Xikaya has been without a steady water supply for 21 years.We have reported the matter countless times to the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, including the speaker and the mayor. It has come to a point where they don’t take my calls anymore,” explained Laundric Ngoveni, leader of the water committee in the area.

Ngoveni said that two years ago they had a glimmer of hope after an old pipeline from the main reservoir in Lulekani to Matiko-Xikaya, was said to be replaced. However, their hopes were shattered when the new pipeline from the reservoir never reached Matiko-Xikaya. “If the pipeline reached our village, we won’t have water interruption anymore. No one answers our questions,” he said. “We were not given a reason why the pipeline issue has not been resolved,” he said. Nine homes in Tututu Street told the Herald that they have not had running water for the last two years.

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Instead, they depend on buying water from tankers. “We pay R300 twice a week to fill our Jojo tanks to have water. The water goes towards laundry, bathing, and flushing the toilets. We buy drinking water at reliable water shops. “Even when there is water in the taps, we struggle with low water pressure,” explained Thoko Nkwinika, a resident. Ward 12 councillor Sybrandt de Beer, told the Herald that the water supply is a lot better in Phalaborwa town.

He said supply is only interrupted during load-shedding when the pumps cannot pump water from the reservoir to homes and businesses. Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality spokesperson, Jonas Mahesu, confirmed there was no water for five days in December, due to criminal activities in the area. “Recently we have had several reports where cables and transformers have been stolen and when there is no electricity, there is no water,” he said. He said the municipality will investigate the issue in Tututu Street, as the municipality is not aware of any challenges in the area. “Our main challenge is cable theft and we ask people to not tamper or steal cables, as this is one of the main reasons for water disruptions,”Mahesu concluded.