PHALABORWA – When the Herald contacted Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality about allegations of deliberate valve tampering in Longtill, water began flowing to some households roughly 40 minutes later – a coincidence residents say fits a troubling pattern.

Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba is leading a service delivery programme in the municipality from Monday, July 6, to Friday, July 10. However, the visit coincided with the resumption of water supply for the residents of Longtill, following weeks of dry taps.

The community says they have been without a reliable water supply for weeks, even after the municipality resolved the widespread water disruptions that affected most of Phalaborwa in May.

“We feel deceived”

“We are only receiving water now because the premier is here. Our pleas were ignored for weeks.

“Why has the water only started flowing now that the premier is visiting? We feel deceived. The Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality is rotten to the core. We need to vote them out,” said one frustrated resident.

Valves allegedly tampered with

Residents allege that someone has been deliberately closing the main supply valves, leaving Longtill without water while neighbouring sections continued receiving supply.

The allegations follow a visit by Ba-Phalaborwa Mayor Merriam Malatji to Ward 7 on Thursday, June 11, after complaints about persistent water shortages. During the inspection, the municipality announced that a main supply valve had been tampered with by individuals who had disrupted service delivery.

Municipal teams carried out restoration work, but residents say Longtill continued to experience prolonged water shortages despite other areas receiving water.

“Water is a basic necessity”

“The person who is closing the valves is selfish and may be benefitting from this. Why is the municipality not doing anything to stop it? Water is a basic necessity,” said another resident.

Residents also criticised what they described as poor emergency response measures. They alleged that they were promised a water tanker on Saturday, July 4, and placed buckets outside in anticipation, only to be informed later that the tanker had no water.

Municipality responds

When the Herald put the valve-tampering allegations to Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality spokesperson Jonas Mahesu, he said he would notify the technical team to investigate.

Mahesu also said that the municipality would implement measures to secure the valves against further tampering and urged community members to report any suspicious activity or individuals who may be interfering with the water infrastructure.