Bethal and eMzinoni residents still left dry
The municipality would not give answers on the alleged criminal cases against the farmers.
While the mayor of the Govan Mbeki Municipality, Nhlakanipho Zuma, blamed load-shedding for the ongoing water crisis in Bethal and eMzinoni, some residents have resorted to other means to find water.
They bought their own tanks, which are filled by the rain, or made friends with farmers in the area where they can fill up their tanks.
“We realised we must be prepared and provide for ourselves,” said a resident.
He said the last time they had full use of water from the municipal taps was on November 9.
“Since then, the water came back a few times, but there is only water for about an hour before it is dry again.”
Marthie van der Walt, the manager of Palmoord Old Age Home in Bethal, said her staff battle to ensure that all the residents have a bit of water and that their toilets can flush.
She believes the staff spend more time dealing with the water crisis than doing their jobs.
“It is difficult without water, and we have old people who must get along with such little water daily,” said Van der Walt.
She said the municipality only brought them water a few times, but the community then organised a truck of water. She thanked the donors for their support.
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In a press conference at the end of last month, Zuma blamed load-shedding and the illegal connections by farmers between Trichardt and Bethal.
He said criminal cases were opened against the farmers, and the illegal connections were fixed.
However, when the Ridge Times asked the spokespeople of the Govan Mbeki Municipality, Lucky Mhlongo and Donald Green, who the farmers were they failed to provide names, citing the Popi Act and saying it is against the law to do so.
The Ridge Times sent emails and WhatsApp messages, which Green and Mhlongo read, on March 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9 before they answered to say they could not provide the names.
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When asked at which police station the criminal cases were opened, they could not answer the Ridge Times. They also could not say if the farmers had been arrested yet or when they would appear in court.
In the meantime, residents from eMzinoni are also at dire straits without water.
A concerned resident said she has to choose between buying water for her household or food to feed her family.
“How are people suposed to make such decisions when both are a necessity,” she cried.
“We are being deprived of basic human rights.”
