A Limpopo woman spent three months in hospital suffering from diarrhoea after drinking dirty water shared with animals in the Waterberg district.
The residents of Diretsaneng, Lesedi Motlana, Bakenburg, and Raseletse are amongst the villages in Mogalakwena Local Municipality which are still struggling to access basic necessities such as clean water. They continue to consume murky water from the spring wells shared with animals – more than 30 years since South Africa’s democratic dispensation.
Most of these villagers, which are surrounded by Mogalakwena Platinum Mine, are said to be only depending on social grants and social relief funds.
Jane Matlou, a resident of Lesodi Motlana village in ward 7 under Mogalakwena Local Municipality told African Times that they are consuming dirty and contaminated water and are forced bleach it with Jik for disinfection before drinking.
And they have on several occasions tried to get ward councillor Emmanuel Dolo to assist them access water supply through municipal water tankers, but their outcries are falling on deaf ears.
“Ever since started living here 20-years-ago, we never had clean water and the last time they delivered water was last year in October and some of us who can’t afford to buy water are forced to use the contaminated water from the exposed well and the Mogalakwena river.
“The water that we use for drinking, washing we fetch it from the source that is frequently used by the donkeys, dogs, Cows and other animals, “ Matlou said.
The villagers travel long distances to draw water from these groundwaters using wheelbarrows and donkey carts, to drink, cook and for washing.
A 33-year-old woman, Hellen Mashilo from Raseletse village, said she had to return home from Gauteng province to look after her mother who contracted diarrhoea after drinking the contaminated water and spent three months in hospital.
While those who affords are forced to fork out R300 to fill 2000 litres water tank from the locals who have drilled.
In 2023, the Mogalakwena Local Municipality appointed a contractor called Within Africa construction to conduct electric mechanical works at pump stations, borehole sites, pressure reducing values, water treatment works for the Diretsaneng, Raseletse and surrounding villages.
However, the residents are yet to benefit from it, even though it’s reported to have been 98% complete.
During the Mogalakwena Municipal Integrated Development Plan (IDP) at Grasvlei Tribal early this month, mayor Ngoako Taueatsoala said he’s aware of the water crisis faced by these residents and are working on resolving it.
Attempts to solicit comments from the municipal spokesperson, Malesela Selokela were not successful.
During the Provincial Freedom day celebration held at Modimolle, the Waterberg district executive mayor Jacky Maepa acknowledged that the district is riddled by water crisis and have teamed up with the Department of Water and Sanitation to resolve it.
Ntamala Mokonyane who is the President of On The Move (OTM), a regional political party based in Mogalakwena Municipality said they have been actively supporting the community members by purchasing the 2000 litres of water to those who could not afford, to ensure that they had access to this essential resource.
Mokonyane further said he doesn’t believe that the ANC-led municipality will provide water to these villagers, after it failed for 30-years.
“Based on past performance, OTM has no confidence that the ANC-led government can effectively address these long-standing issues. Despite being in power for over 30 years, the government has failed to deliver basic services like clean water and proper sanitation to many communities.
“This persistent neglect has eroded public trust and demonstrated a clear inability to respond to the daily struggles of ordinary citizens. OTM believes that real change requires new leadership and a new approach—one that is responsive, accountable, and committed to real solutions. We believe OTM is that alternative,” OTM President said.
