Qumbu, a town in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, is currently facing a severe water crisis after criminal acts of vandalism targeted key water infrastructure. The destruction of borehole equipment has left the town without a reliable water supply, prompting emergency interventions from the O.R. Tambo District Municipality. Here’s what residents need to know about the situation, its impact, and the steps being taken to restore water services.
- What Happened
Criminals vandalised three boreholes that supply water to Qumbu Town, destroying the electrical equipment and cutting off the main water source overnight.
- Impact on Residents
The incident left the entire town without running water, disrupting households and businesses that depend on the system daily.
- Municipality Response
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) teams are already on-site to assess the full extent of the damage and begin urgent repairs to restore the boreholes.
- Emergency Water Supply
To ease the crisis, the municipality has deployed water carting trucks to deliver potable water to residents until the system is fixed.
- Appeal to the Community
The municipality condemned the vandalism, stating that it robs communities of dignity. Residents are urged to help protect water infrastructure and report suspicious activities.
As Qumbu grapples with the aftermath of the borehole vandalism, the O.R. Tambo District Municipality is working swiftly to restore essential services and ensure residents have access to clean water. Community cooperation is vital residents are urged to report any suspicious activity and protect local infrastructure. For leaks, vandalism, or assistance, residents can contact the Water & Sanitation Call Centre at 047 501 9106 or WhatsApp 060 752 0961.
