Residents of Tonga Village in Nkomazi, Mpumalanga, have raised concerns about infrastructure vandalism, that often leaves them without water.

This comes after electricity cables were recently damaged at a local water pump station. They claim that this is the fifth time this has occurred, since last year.

The concerned residents believe that water mafias are damaging the infrastructure for their personal gain.

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“We believe that the security company that operates here may be involved in the vandalism that is happening. Proof of that is the surveillance camera that’s facing the sky. We don’t understand why the surveillance camera is facing the sky. Now, the security company may be working with officials. There’s a high possibility that some municipal officials may be owners of these private water tankers and so they tend to benefit out of the disruption and the vandalism that is happening here,” says a resident.

“There are more than 30 villages who are using this hospital. During visiting hours, we have to carry our own water to give our relatives inside because there is no water so they can take their medication,” adds another resident.

Meanwhile, Nkomazi Local Municipality spokesperson Mbuso Malale says water provision has been restored after the installation of a temporary water pump engine.

“What we’ve already done is to beef up security in terms of using modernised security systems because we can rely on the security personnel. Unfortunately, you’ll find out that sometimes they attack that particular person. We once had an incident whereby one of our security guards was hospitalised for almost three months, being hit by pangas,” says Malale.

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