Last year, a brief glimmer of hope turned to bitter disappointment for the community of Sand River, which celebrated the arrival of clean, running water from taps installed a staggering eight years ago, for less than two months.

From August to mid-October 2024, residents experienced the unprecedented luxury of running water in their homes. Their joy was short-lived, however, as taps once again ran dry, leaving the community in a familiar, desperate state.

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Silence from the City of Mbombela (CoM) regarding the sudden lack of supply only added to frustrations. Residents report no official communication or explanation as to why their long-awaited water access was abruptly cut short.

With no water from municipal taps, and water tanker deliveries stopping in July 2024, the people of Sand River were left to secure this most basic necessity themselves.

Residents realised, with disbelief, that the municipality would not be providing them with water, despite their close proximity to the Hoxani Water Scheme. They claim people staying much further away from the plant are receiving water.

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The dire situation drove some to desperate measures, with residents admitting to illegally connecting to water sources to survive. Others, with no alternative, are forced to share water sources with animals, posing severe public health risks and highlighting the indignity they face.

“We waited eight years for water to flow from these taps, and when the water finally came, we thought our prayers were answered. Now we’re back to where we started, but it feels worse because no one is saying anything to us. The municipality does not care about us. They only wanted our vote, and once they got it, they disappeared – just like our water,” one community member lamented.

Residents made it clear that they would join other communities in illegally connecting to water sources if the municipality does not provide a permanent solution.

The CoM’s spokesperson, Joseph Ngala, was not available for comment.