TZANEEN – Residents have raised concerns about water supply problems following a burst water pipe near the Adshade Street bridge over the R71 in Tzaneen.

Repair work is underway to replace the damaged asbestos pipe with a steel pipe.

Councillor outlines the fix

According to Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) DA Clr Chrisma Bredenkamp, the burst occurred along the original pipeline, prompting repairs to restore the damaged infrastructure.

Bredenkamp said residents had contacted her about the water situation and the inconvenience caused by the damaged pipe. “The water pipe burst along the original pipeline, and they are fixing it. It will be replaced with steel instead of asbestos,” she said. The replacement pipe is not available from nearby manufacturers and must be transported from Cape Town, adding to the logistical challenges.

Tricky location slows repairs

Workers also struggled to access the damaged section because of its location near the bridge. They were unable to reach it through the tunnel beneath the structure and had to open the area above the pipeline to carry out the repairs.

Bredenkamp expressed hope that replacing the damaged pipe would resolve the problem and address residents’ concerns.

Timeline remains unclear

The expected arrival date of the replacement pipe and the completion date of the repairs have not been confirmed.

The Herald contacted GTM spokesperson Vutivi Makhubule for an update on the repairs, the anticipated completion date, and measures to address the water supply concerns. However, no response had been received by the time of publishing.