LIMPOPO – As demand for water increases due to the rapid expansion of new developments and construction of residential housing, a troubling and increasingly widespread phenomenon has emerged: the rise of water poaching.

This illicit activity involves individuals or organised groups unlawfully tapping into municipal water sources, often through unauthorised and illegal connections, to extract water for their gain.

Once stolen, the water is sold to unsuspecting or desperate consumers, often at inflated prices, preying on communities where access to clean water is already a challenge. The impact of water poaching extends far beyond immediate theft.

It places additional strain on municipal water systems that are already grappling with the rising demand from growing populations and urban development.

For lawful consumers, this often translates into frequent water shortages, reduced water pressure, and prolonged service disruptions, further exacerbating frustrations in communities reliant on these essential services.

“These people have created a lucrative black market where water has become their main commodity, while we spend days without water,” said Helani Mavunda of Section D2 in Giyani. “The problem is that the municipality seems to be under-resourced and cannot monitor and prevent such activities, making it difficult to hold perpetrators accountable, even though they don’t even bother to hide it,” he added.

Addressing this growing issue, requires a multifaceted approach, including strict enforcement measures and the imposition of severe penalties. However, the Greater Giyani Municipality (GGM) seems powerless in combating water theft, as water authority responsibilities fall under the jurisdiction of the Mopani District Municipality (MDM).

“What we can do from the municipality’s side is deny business registration when these individuals attempt to register their activities as a business,” explained GGM spokesperson Steve Mavunda, saying this was in line with the legal requirement that all businesses operating within municipalities must register with the relevant municipality.

“By refusing registration, we can discourage and disrupt their operations and potentially deter future entrants,” he added.

MDM did not respond to the Herald’s enquiries for comment. MDM spokesperson Odas Ngobeni was on leave when the questions were submitted.

When contacted, he referred all communications to the municipal manager, TJ Magano.

However, despite acknowledging receipt, Magano did not respond within two weeks.

It appears that the district is also powerless to address the matter, as this is not the first time the issue has been raised.

Several community members in Section-A and D2 have previously lodged complaints about this, but no action has been taken.

Currently, the popular hotspots include the Mapuve Water Plant and Siyandani village near Kheto Nxumalo Agricultural High School where there is a visible pipeline that has been illegally connected.