Limpopo: Day-Zero a reality for Tzaneen?

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has seemingly instructed the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) to implement water shedding that was scheduled to commence this week on Tuesday 1 October, Letaba Herald reports.

Vutivi Makhubele, spokesperson for the Greater Tzaneen Municipality confirmed to Letaba Herald that it is indeed now a reality.

An email stated that the water shedding will commence Thursday 26 September. However, it was only to be implemented from Tuesday, 1 October, according to Makhubele.

Jacques Kruger, chairperson of the Letaba Water User Association told Herald that they were not informed about the restrictions or proposed water shedding.

“We as the association are not liable for managing household water distribution. We manage the outflow of the dam for farmers down stream of the Letaba River and the industrial area in Tzaneen,” Kruger said.

“The water situation in Mopani district has entered alarming proportions, with Tzaneen Dam recorded at 9%. The dam is the main source of water for citrus farmers and domestic consumers in the town and unless it rains heavily in the next two weeks or so, the town is likely to plunged into a serious natural disaster,” said Sputnik Ratua from DWS.

Ratua responded: “As you can see in our statement dated 18 September we do indicate that Mopani District took that decision. Not DWS. We only amplified their decision. For the correctness or not of the decision for localised restrictions, you actually need to engage the municipality. As the DWS we haven’t Gazetted any, but that does not preclude the local government from making decisions they might deem necessary. As such, I suggest you engage the municipality so far as process is concerned.”

Megan Baragwanth, spokersperson for the civic group of concerned citizens of the Haenertsburg and Magoebaskloof area, say they want a further explanation from the DWS with regards to the current water levels of Tzaneen Dam. The group insists and requests an answer and or adequate response to the statement and questions within 10 days after they sent the mail to Rarua and the DWS on Monday 30 September.

“We feel that the recent statement made by Sputnik Ratau from the Department of Water and Sanitation that was published in the local newspaper on 26 September is completely inadequate. Such an alarming and wide ranging statement should be supported by a full explanation from the Department as to why the Tzaneen Dam has dropped to 9% before water restrictions were implemented,” Baragwanath said.

“Is this Tzaneen’s Day Zero? Why was an emergency water management plan not developed and widely publicised long before dam levels dropped to this critical point? What monitoring and regulation of upstream water usage has been implemented? Dam levels are not influenced only by rainfall but by usage throughout the catchment and we would like the department to disclose how these users are regulated,” they wanted to know.

As community members upstream from the Tzaneen Dam, they are very concerned about the health, safety and security of water sources and the health, safety and security of the people who live in this critical water catchment area.

“We specifically would like to know how water usage is monitored and managed in the Broederstroom, Helpmekaar and other rivers upstream from Tzaneen Dam, as the health of these rivers are critical to the inflow of water into Tzaneen Dam. We want DWS to provide an adequate explanation as to how we came to this dire predicament of 14 days to a serious water supply disaster,” they stated.

The Constitution states in chapter two in the Bill of Rights in section 27 that: Everyone has the right to sufficient water as it is basic service delivery, and can not be withheld from residents.

In the meantime, the question remains if GTM will make provision for water tankers in residential areas to supply water to households.

The media reported on 30 August that Mopani District’s Executive Mayor, Pule Shayi handed over tankers and trucks as part of his 100 days in office.

Shayi distributed water tankers and trucks to their satellite bases in five local municipalities in the district at Tzaneen Disaster Management Centre on Friday, August 23. Shayi then handed over 10 water tankers, 10 twin cab trucks, five crane trucks and a low belt truck to representatives of the five local municipalities as part of his 100 days in office. Each municipal satellite base received two water tankers out of the fleet.

It was reported that Shayi said that the trucks were procured to bring relief as some water sources have already dried up due to drought in many parts of the district.

“The 10 water tankers will augment water supply in identified critical areas,” said Shayi.

Greater Tzaneen, Greater Giyani and Greater Letaba officially received the keys from Shayi during the handing over ceremony.