JEPPES REEF – The provincial chairman of the Democratic Alliance, Mr James Masango was appalled at the unavailability of water in this area.
Following a visit to this community, Masango expressed his shock to the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature last Tuesday.
According to Masango, it was “more shocking” that this area was located near the Driekoppies Dam and yet government was unable to provide people with water to their own houses.
“During a visit to Jeppes Reef in Nkomazi, I was appalled to see people waiting for hours for fresh water. The residents of this area do not have running water in their homes and therefore wait in long queues to fill their containers at the village’s damaged tap.
“Even more shocking is that this is happening in close proximity to the Driekoppies Dam. With such a significant dam nearby it is incomprehensible why government doesn’t clean it up and use it as a water source for local villages.
“This situation makes life difficult for the local community and exposes them to health risks as those not willing to wait in queues simply fetch water from the litter-filled dam, risking infection of water-borne diseases,” said Masango.
He continued, “It’s sad that 19 years into democracy, communities in the former homelands are still suffering. It is rather troubling to see that despite being granted political freedom, these people remain oppressed by lack of services.
Despite government’s endless promises, statements and declarations to improve water provision, the fact of the matter remains that it does not deliver water, it only delivers dry taps,”
