The Sand River community continues to suffer without access to water, and despite repeated requests to meet with the City of Mbombela’s (CoM) Mayor Sibongile Makushe Mazibuko, no action has been taken.

While the area previously received water via tankers, this service was abruptly halted three years ago.

This has left residents to source their own water with some forced to share water sources with animals. After 30 years of democracy, residents feel their basic right to water had been blatantly violated.

Although taps were installed in the area 10 years ago, community members say they functioned for less than three months.

For a decade, the unused infrastructure stood as reminder of unfulfilled promises. According to frustrated residents, hope is fading and many have come to the grim realisation that the government they voted for has abandoned them.

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Shadrack Mkhabela, a local resident, said both the mayor and the ward councillor have turned a blind eye to their plight.

“The councillor, who is from this very area, is aware of the situation, but is doing nothing to address the water challenges. We understand now that the taps installed 10 years ago were a waste of money just to get votes. But, can they not at least assist residents who cannot afford to buy water and are forced to share with animals?” he asked.

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Another resident, Thoko Nkuna, said she no longer expects anything positive from the current local government, claiming they only prioritise the community when seeking votes.

“For the past 10 years, we have been pleading for one thing: the provision of water, whether through tankers or by fixing the existing taps. We have a councillor who occupies a position for the salary, but delivers nothing to the people. The mayor has her own priority areas, ignoring the very people she is supposed to look after. It is clear she has abandoned us as if we are not part of the CoM,” she said.

Given Mokoena added that the CoM is ignoring the residents because they believe protests would have no impact.

“As residents, I think we need to take a firm step by either abstaining from voting or voting out the current councillor in favour of a party, which will work for the community. We just need water to survive. Is this the ‘better life for all’ that the government promised?”

The CoM spokesperson, Joseph Ngala, said they are aware of the water crisis in Sand River.

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The problem involves a 75mm PVC pipeline dedicated to Bongani Hospital. This pipeline was damaged along the stream for a long time, but the leak was located and repaired in 2023.

“During that period, the section which is now affected received water through rationing, and there were no issues. The problem started when the bottom section of Sand River realized that there was water passing adjacent to them; they started connecting themselves illegally to the mainline for Bongani Hospital. The top section began to lose water pressure, and they are currently not receiving water anymore due to those illegal connections,” Ngala said.

He added that to resolve the problem, the municipality will install new pipelines from the mainline to both sections with isolation valves.

Illegal connections will be removed, and a water rationing plan will start. The ward councillor will inform community members about the plan.

“There is currently a shortage of materials in our municipal stores. As soon as the material is available, pipe installation will begin. We are planning to complete everything by July after our annual budget. For now, we will ensure that water tankers are supplying the area with water weekly,” Ngala concluded.