Kokosi residents in Fochville, part of the Merafong Local Municipality, have had to find alternative ways to access water, becoming the latest victims of the water crisis in Gauteng.

For a month, residents have endured severe water shortages, forcing them to collect water from tankers, rivers, and privately-owned boreholes. The prolonged lack of access to clean water has resulted in widespread stomach issues and other illnesses within the community.

Residents, facing ongoing water problems, are looking to the Merafong Municipality for solutions.

The crisis originates from the municipality’s R1.4 billion debt to Rand Water, prompting the utility to enforce a 20% reduction in water supply to the area.

A local businessman, who wishes to remain anonymous, has stepped in to address the crisis by drilling three boreholes in the area.

This provides much-needed relief to water-deprived residents, customers, and employees who previously had to travel long distances to find drinkable water.

“My businesses were starting to stink. My employees and my customers were affected, and for me, this is not a big deal, as I was not only doing it for the people but also for the sake of my customers and my workers. When residents come asking for water, I cannot chase them away because they also need water. So, for me, this is not a big deal,” the businessman stated.

Lydia Zulu, 64, revealed that over the past few weeks, she has been forced to drink unpalatable water from the river, risking her life and that of three of her grandchildren.

“Our lives have become difficult because of this water problem, as it has been a month since we have had a constant water supply. We are forced to collect water from the river, as you can see, I am pushing a wheelbarrow, and if it was not for one of the businesspeople of this area, who has built a borehole for us, I would have had to go fetch water from the river, which is very far,” Zulu said.

For Thami Mncwango, who washes cars for a living, the water crisis has made it difficult for him and his colleagues to do their jobs.

“Our business has suffered as we are forced to drink contaminated water. I got sick from drinking water from these tankers and spent three days at home. However, with the recent drilling of the borehole, things have become better even though this is still not enough due to long lines and the inconsistent water supply by water tankers, which results in elderly people being left behind,” he said.

Matsidiso Moalosi said the municipality has not communicated any plan to deal with the current crisis, adding that the water tankers only come once in a while. 

“They (the municipality) do not have a plan. Even the other day, we protested against the issue, but they have not given us any solutions. They have not told us anything. We want them to address us on this problem, or find a better way of managing the situation, because even these tankers we are told about are not enough, as there are too many of us without water,” she said.

This week, Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo indicated that the bulk water supply remains reduced due to the municipal debt.

“After months of deliberation, the two parties could not find an amicable solution as the municipality continuously refused to honour its account with Rand Water. To date, the municipality owes Rand Water over R1.4 billion. The situation is highly untenable and destabilises Rand Water’s financial position as it poses a direct threat to its medium- and long-term sustainability,” Maroo said.

Meanwhile, Merafong Municipality spokesperson, Thabo Maloja, said they are yet to find a solution to the crisis.

“The issue of the R1.4 billion owed to Rand Water is not new, but we are worried about the approach taken by Rand Water of communicating through media statements instead of engaging directly with the municipality. The municipality recognises the hardships faced by residents due to the 20%  water supply reduction, which is affecting Kokosi and Fochville.”

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za

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