By LOYISO DYONGMAN
Families in some parts of Makhanda are resorting to buying water from people with donkey carts, “renting” capacity in other people’s rainwater tanks – and doing without when they can’t afford to pay.
Some Makana communities have suffered water cuts and lack of water for more than a year. Now others are facing the same problem. In Hoogenoeg, a water tank donated to the community by Gift of the Givers has been empty for seven weeks. Resident Melikhaya Matwa said residents were now buying water from donkey cart owners who can fetch water from far away at between R20 and R25 a litre.
“Our municipal officials have failed to replace ageing water infrastructure and don’t fix frequent leakages. The water crisis in the municipality disproportionately affects us as poor people who can’t afford to buy water. There is no daily water supply truck here. How long have we been complaining of the same thing to this Makana Municipality, and nobody cares,” said Matwa.
“Tankers come after a long time, and they bring insufficient water. Most residents are poor and cannot afford to buy bottled water. People queue at a few houses with water, and their water bills are high, Matwa said.
In some of the city’s informal settlements, water problems are constant. There has been no water in the eNkanini informal settlement since last year. In Extension 6 in Ematyeni informal settlement, some residents said they pay monthly “rents” of R100 for access to water from other people’s rainwater tanks.
In Extension 9 in Joza, where families have taps in their yards, residents said water went on and off without notice.
Nonkululeko Simayi, who has three children, said she doesn’t know what to do as she does not have money to hire donkey carts. “I use the water I get very cautiously as I don’t know where I will get it next time. Maybe the provincial or national government should intervene in Makana Municipality because our officials can’t address this,” said Simayi.
Municipal Director of Engineering and Infrastructure Services Asanda Madyibi-Gidana refused to comment. “May I ask you once again to channel your queries through to our central communications office,” she said. Water and sanitation manager Gubevu Maduna said: “ I am not in a position to assist you with anything if not doing it through that office.”
But spokesperson Yoliswa Ramokolo didn’t respond to questions. She has not responded to questions which were sent two months ago either.
This story was first published by GroundUp.org.za
