Parts of Sekhukhune to be declared water disaster areas

Sekhukhune District Municipality intends requesting Premier Stan Mathabatha to have some drought stricken areas proclaimed as water disaster areas.
Willy Mosoma, spokesperson of the municipality said in a media release that the drought situation was caused by lack of rains in Sekhukhune that have seriously affected some of the villages in the area.
“This follows a recent in-depth assessment made by the municipality following a series of reports that the Vergelegen Dam supplying Jane Furse and surrounds, Nkadimeng Dam supplying Mphanama and the surrounding villages and Piet Gouws Dam supplying Ga-Masemola village and its neighbours are drying up.
According to Mosoma, the water shortage is so serious that towns like Burgersfort, Steelpoort and Ohrigstad, that enjoyed a fair share of potable, clean running water over the years are faced with water restrictions.
“To put concrete expression to this problem, the 300 delegates representing municipalities, mining, agriculture, water forums, university experts, water boards and water users associations, sharply raised the matter during the recent Sekhukhune Water and Sanitation Summit held at Loskop Dam,” Mosoma added.

Story & photo: BARRY VILJOEN
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