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Several villages in the Eastern Cape continue to suffer from dry taps provided by their municipalities, despite millions of rands being allocated to water infrastructure projects.
Although funding was reportedly used to build boreholes and install taps, many of these taps have remained dry for years. Some villages have never had running water, while others saw their taps run dry months or even years ago. As a result, many residents are forced to share water sources with livestock at nearby rivers.
Frustrated by the lack of services, residents have taken to the streets to protest against alleged corruption and poor service delivery. They accuse the municipalities of widespread corruption, nepotism, and flouting of procurement processes.
Mhlayifani Xhalabile, a representative of the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO), highlighted the community’s concerns:
“There are no services here. Water taps are dry, but there are companies with tenders to supply water. It is worse in the villages—people there are drinking with animals,” he said.
One resident vented their frustration on social media:
“What is happening in the Eastern Cape is worse than in other parts of Mzansi, especially Gqeberha and its surroundings. For such a long time, that place was running low on water, and suddenly, water is coming in abundance. If this continues, companies like FAW might relocate to their country of origin. Shuuu, what can we do in Mzansi?”
Rural residents, especially, celebrate when it rains as it fills their tanks and drums, providing temporary relief from fetching water at rivers.
Zanele, a resident of KwaBhaca, described the costs of securing water:
“Each month, we pay R2,500 for water trucks to fill our tank at home for cooking, bathing, laundry, and drinking.”
In some areas, individuals resort to selling water, charging R40 for each 20-litre bucket or bottled water.
Meanwhile, residents of Ngcobo, under the Chris Hani District Municipality, have vowed to bring their town to a standstill until their demands are met. They handed over a memorandum to a representative from Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle’s office, calling for urgent action.
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