Mogalakwena Municipality criticised for watershedding plans
The Mogalakwena Municiaplity's announcement of proposed watershedding has drawn sharp criticism from residents, among others.
MOKOPANE – On November 7, the Mogalakwena Municipality announced plans to implement watershedding in response to a heatwave that has led to increased water consumption and plummeting reservoir levels.
They stated that if the situation persists, watershedding will be necessary to allow dam levels to recover.
This announcement has drawn sharp criticism from, among others, a concerned citizen Korny Dekker, who penned an open letter expressing his frustration with the municipality’s handling of the ongoing water crisis.
Dekker argued that watershedding has become a longstanding issue, stretching over at least five years, and attributes the crisis more to inadequate infrastructure than to climate conditions.
“Our town has faced watershedding for years, not because of heatwaves alone but due to aging and poorly maintained water infrastructure,” Dekker wrote.
He highlighted the neglect of the Doorndraai Dam, a critical water source for the region, as a glaring example of the lack of oversight and investment. According to Dekker, proper maintenance and modernisation of the dam and the broader water system are urgently needed to address the root causes of the problem.
Dekker also criticised the reliance on watershedding as a solution, stating that it exacerbates hardships without addressing the underlying infrastructure failures.
“Clean, running water is not just a necessity; it is a basic human right,” he emphasised.
He called on the municipality and the Department of Water and Sanitation to prioritise infrastructure improvements and ensure the right to consistent and clean water for all residents.
Dekker concluded his letter by urging decision-makers to take meaningful steps to modernise the water supply system and provide sustainable solutions, rather than resorting to temporary measures such as watershedding. For many residents, his words expressed a growing frustration with the gap between policy announcements and the daily realities of life in Mogalakwena.
No comment had been received from the municipality at the time of going to print.
