Electricity has been restored in all affected areas of Mbombela, and water pumping has commenced after residents spent the last three days without power or water.

The crisis, which began on New Year’s Day, has left households in a dire situation, forcing the City of Mbombela (CoM) and Silulumanzi to ramp up emergency water relief efforts.

CoM spokesperson Joseph Ngala reported that technical teams have been working around the clock to identify the cause of the widespread blackout.

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“We have encountered several cable faults. While many have been fixed, teams had a challenge at Riverside, where an additional cable fault was discovered but it has been fixed and pumping of water has resumed,” Ngala said.

The prolonged power outage has had a catastrophic knock-on effect on the region’s water infrastructure.
Richmond Jele, spokesperson for Silulumanzi, confirmed that the lack of electricity has paralyzed the Nelspruit Water Treatment Plant.

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“Without power to run the pumps, water cannot be moved from the treatment plant to the various reservoirs that feed residential areas. Most of our reservoirs are currently at critically low levels,” Jele warned.

He also cautioned residents that the return of electricity will not result in an immediate flow of water.

“It takes several hours to pump water from the plant to high-lying reservoirs. Water must be properly treated and cleaned before it is safe for distribution. It takes time for the entire pipe network to regain the pressure needed to reach every household,” he said

In response to the growing outcry from thirsty residents, additional water tankers have been deployed as a temporary measure.

These tankers are moving through strategic points in the affected wards to provide relief.

With no definitive timeline for the full restoration of services, frustration is mounting. Businesses in the areas are

The municipality has urged residents to continue using water sparingly once the supply returns to allow the reservoirs time to recover fully.