By Buziwe Nocuze
Residents of Baccle’s Farm in Ntabethemba in the Eastern Cape have not had water for a week because their taps have run dry and so they have to get it from a river where animals drink.
“We are forced to share with animals. It is not good for our health even though we boil it before drinking,” said a resident who requested anonymity. “Our leaders only care about themselves and their families and only use us to get them to the top.
“For our taps to have water, we depend on big tanks that use an engine to pump the water. We heard that the motor is broken. We reported that to our councillor but he’s not doing anything about it. We can’t continue drinking and using dirty water.”
Another resident speaking anonymously said the engine operator was also a problem.
“If he doesn’t feel like starting the engine so that the tanks can start supplying water to our taps he just comes up with excuses. Unless it is someone close to him that needs water – then the engine gets started.”
Ward 32 councillor Sivuyile Plaatjie said: “The engines are broken and the operator took a lot of time to report the problem. I had a meeting with the community and heard their complaints about the operator. They accused him of opening the tanks only when it suits him.
“Residents usually get their water supply on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, but ever since we started experiencing engine problems that stopped.”
He said the municipality has decided to get a new operator.
Plaatjie said the district tried to get trucks to deliver water to the community but that plan was disturbed by a strike.
“No one could come inside our areas because of the strike – but with the new operator coming in next month we expect things to be back to normal. We pray that he will take the job seriously and not do only what he wants,” Plaatjie said.
He promised that the engine would be fixed soon so that community members would no longer have to get water from the river.
“We respect our people,” said Plaatjie. “I want them to know that we are doing everything in our power to fix the problem so that they can get clean water.”
Pictured above: Baccle’s Farm residents in Ntabethemba, Eastern Cape, have to get water from a river where animals drink because the engine that fills their water tanks is not working.
Image source: Supplied
