Lusikisiki residents are facing a water crisis after cable theft shut down power to the town’s main water treatment plant. OR Tambo District Municipality says Eskom technicians are working to restore supply.

What Happened

The Lusikisiki Water Treatment Plant stopped operating in the early hours of today following a cable theft incident on Eskom infrastructure. The power cut has caused widespread water outages across Lusikisiki and surrounding areas.

The O.R. Tambo District Municipality confirmed the theft took place near the IHLM official area and that the matter has been reported to SAPS. Eskom has also been notified and technicians are expected on site.

“These criminal acts interrupt water access in homes, clinics, schools, and businesses,” said the municipality.

Official Response

The Municipality condemned the cable theft, saying it not only delays service delivery but also diverts funds meant for development.

They called on residents to protect public infrastructure and report any criminal activity. Updates will follow as technicians work to restore power and water supply.

Community Impact

The outage is affecting:

• Homes and residential areas
• Clinics and healthcare facilities
• Schools and early learning centres
• Local businesses and municipal services

These interruptions have slowed services and strained daily life, especially for vulnerable groups.