Residents of the Lekwa Local Municipality in Mpumalanga, South Africa, have been facing a dire water crisis, with many living without reliable access for over a decade, despite government reports highlighting the issue.
In the Lekwa Local Municipality, specifically in Standerton, Mpumalanga, residents have reported enduring a persistent water crisis for over a decade. They claim that the municipality's inability to provide reliable running water has severely affected their daily lives. A report from the South African Human Rights Commission in 2021 indicates systemic failures in the municipal water supply and sanitation infrastructure, citing frequent outages and instances of contaminated water. The municipality attributes these issues to outdated infrastructure, pump breakdowns, and complications with algae at its water treatment facility.
Despite these claims from local officials, financial accountability measures depict a troubling picture. The Auditor-General's report reveals that the municipality allocated a meager R462,909 for maintenance of water infrastructure while admitting to a staggering loss of R230.6 million worth of water, primarily due to leaks in the municipal pipeline system. This disparity raises questions about mismanagement and prioritization of resources, as residents like pensioner Margaret have had to resort to paying for transport to access water from sources outside their homes.
Margaret, who supports a family of four on social grants, epitomizes the struggle faced by many individuals in the area. For three weeks, she has been unable to receive water deliveries, and she must pay R150 just to arrange for a vehicle to fetch water. Her situation illustrates not only the personal toll of this infrastructure breakdown but also the broader implications of inadequate municipal services in a country that has made commitments to uphold human rights and dignity for all its citizens.
