Over 30 years into a democratic South Africa, residents of Mahlakwena in Steelpoort remain in disbelief at the appalling lack of access to a basic human right: water.

Villagers of Phothong Section (Ward 2) in the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM) said they are forced to share water with their livestock. “We take turns with our cattle and wild baboons. We have no choice, as most of us are unemployed and cannot afford to buy water.”

According to residents, their water challenges date back to 2008, when a Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) contractor, tasked with erecting an elevated pressed-steel tank, allegedly left the project incomplete.

“Since that failed project, we’ve been sent from pillar to post when questioning our water issues,” said resident Kenny Makola. “Councillors and municipal officials always gave us empty promises until recently when they committed to drilling a borehole in our village.”

Makola said a borehole was drilled on June 17, but no water was found. “We advised the drillers to try another spot in the village, but that was the last we saw of them,” he added. “We’ve kept calling SDM officials, but now our calls go unanswered. All we need is water. Can’t politicians and municipal officials spare a thought for the people of Mahlakwena?” he pleaded.

Mahlakwena is one of many communities in the FTLM struggling without access to clean water. Villages such as Maepa, Makopung, Ga Motodi, Ga Makofane, Mabocha and Praktiseer township remain without this basic necessity.

The struggles also affect those residing in the Burgersfort CBD, where residents complain about constant water cuts and leaking pipes.

“We report water problems to both the SDM and the water utility, Lepelle Northern Water [LNW], but after a day or two, the water shortages resume again. This is despite community members consistently paying for water. Imagine paying for something you’re not getting,” complained one of the residents.

In recent years, local communities in Tubatse have alleged that the SDM repeatedly promised plans and projects to address ongoing water shortages. Among these was the now-defunct Operation Tlema Tekkie re Nwe Meetse – loosely translated as “Let us work hard to ensure people have water” – launched by former executive mayor Julia Mathebe.

Despite its intentions, the project collapsed without ever delivering water to the people.

Former Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu – currently suspended as police minister – also promised to fast-track the De Hoop Dam Scheme. This has not yielded the desired results, with communities near the dam still being without water.

When the SDM’s current executive mayor, Minah Bahula, was inaugurated in November 2023, she stated, “Water is a fundamental human right, yet too many residents in our district continue to struggle with accessing this essential resource.”

Bahula then introduced the borehole flagship programme, saying it was just one element of a broader strategy to tackle water shortages.

More than a year and six months into her leadership, residents in most parts of Sekhukhune are still sitting high and dry.

On August 5, this publication contacted SDM spokesperson, Lemson Moropjane, for comment regarding the challenges faced by Mahlakwena and other Tubatse villages. At the time of publication, he had yet to respond.