LIMPOPO – Anger is boiling over in Namakgale, Ward 7, where disgruntled residents are threatening protest action following more than two weeks without water, while surrounding areas continue to enjoy an uninterrupted supply.

Residents say they are tired of being ignored, with growing suspicion that water valves supplying Ward 7 have been deliberately closed, though by whom remains unclear. The frustration has erupted across a community WhatsApp group, where members accuse local leadership of neglect and call for urgent intervention.

“Our councillor is not interested in anything; that is why our voices are not being heard. It is only a small section that does not have water, but he is not even willing to help by sending water tankers,” said one frustrated resident.

Ward 7 Cllr Mampuele Frans Sekoele is at the centre of the storm. Residents claim he has been informed of the issue but has taken no meaningful steps to resolve it.

One resident strongly opposed the idea of receiving water from tankers, alleging that the water is often contaminated and unsafe. “The issue is simple; the valves are closed. When we protest, the water comes back. That tells us there is no actual shortage,” the resident explained.

The crisis has also rekindled long-standing frustrations with Sekoele’s leadership. Residents accuse him of making decisions without community consultation and ignoring safety concerns in the area. These include Apollo lights that are not working and a dangerous bush that poses a threat to learners and community members walking through it daily.

To make matters worse, it is now alleged that three monitor lizards have been spotted in the same bush, heightening fears for the safety of residents, especially children. “That bush is a danger, and no one is doing anything about it. Now there are even wild animals there,” said one worried parent.

“He makes decisions on his own. He even created sub-sections in our ward without telling us,” said another concerned resident.

The sentiment among many is clear: they no longer want Sekoela to represent them as their ward councillor. “We voted for him as a young councillor, hoping for change, but he is disappointing us. He is useless,” a disgruntled resident told the Herald.

“We will not vote for him in the next elections.”

The Herald reached out to Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality spokesperson Jonas Mahesu, who confirmed that a team will be dispatched to address the issues raised by the Ward 7 community.