Farmers and residents in Clewer are grappling with a severe water crisis due to the local reservoirs failing to fill up.

Small-scale farmers in Clewer’s surviving conditions have become increasingly challenging with inadequate water supply.

Sandra Steinmann from Clewer Agricultural Holdings expressed that the community is at its wits’ end with Emalahleni Local Municipality over the water shortages.

“We have tried many ways to resolve the problem, but unfortunately we are at wits’ end and don’t know where to turn to anymore. We only receive water for a day at most.

And having agricultural holdings, we rely on water as we have livestock and vegetable gardens that are our livelihood,” Steinmann said.

On Wednesday, January 8, Emalahleni Local Municipality issued a notice on social media regarding the water issue.

“The municipality would like to inform the community that repairs for the ongoing power outages affecting some streets in Clewer had to be temporarily halted today due to a cable fault requiring specialised testing equipment.

The team is fully committed to resolving the issue and will prioritise repairs tomorrow morning. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to restore power,” the notice read.

Christina Rogers sent a direct message to WITBANK NEWS on social media.

“Hi please help us in Clewer. We’ve only had water for one day in November, for December it was only six days. For two years it went on like that. No water for the plots – we cannot bath, and no washing water to wash our clothes. Our councillor says she hasn’t got an answer. We think the mine closed the water. Nobody can answer, who can help us, we are old people.”

WITBANK NEWS reached out to Emalahleni Local Municipality’s communication liaison Bridgett Mwelase who had responded to say hat the municipality  haven’t received any queries on water outages at  Clewer plots.

“We will send this query to the water department for a response and for the community to receive assistance.”

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