By Anita Dangazele
- Nelson Mandela Bay’s water crisis has left Kariega and KwaNobuhle residents without supply, with some going months without running water.
- The South African Human Rights Commission has opened an investigation after Nelson Mandela Bay residents went weeks without tap water.
Thousands of Nelson Mandela Bay residents have been without reliable water for weeks, with some saying they have not had supply for up to two months.
Municipal spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya said reduced output at the Nooitgedagt Water Treatment Works is behind the crisis. He said murky source water, electricity disruptions, voltage dips and rising demand have all cut production. The reduced output cut supply to Kariega, parts of Tiryville, Despatch, KwaNobuhle, Chatty and Bloemendal.
Soyaya said the city added an extra pump and it could take up to two weeks to fully stabilise supply. Water tankers went out but the municipality said it cannot cover every area at the same time.
Gift of the Givers stepped in after community leaders made urgent calls for help. Ali Sablay from the organisation said the situation shocked them on arrival.
“When we arrived in Lapland, residents indicated that they last had water six weeks ago,” he said.
Sablay said elderly people struggled most, relying on children to fetch water from other areas. The organisation deployed tankers daily and installed 2,500-litre tanks.
The South African Human Rights Commission started an investigation after receiving complaints. Eastern Cape manager Dr Eileen Carter said long water cuts are a serious concern because access to water is a basic right.
Dam levels in the metro have dropped to just above 31%, far lower than last year. The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber blamed poor maintenance and failing infrastructure.
Chief executive Denise van Huyssteen said treated water is lost through leaks and system failures, putting jobs and businesses at risk.
Mayor Babalwa Lobishe urged residents to cut water use as the drought continues.
Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality, which covers Cradock and Middelburg, is also facing shortages, with residents going more than a week without water.
Pictured above: Nelson Mandela Bay residents collect water from tanks.
Image source: Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
