EMALAHLENI – Residents of Emalahleni, have been enduring a severe water crisis since March 26, despite the Witbank dam being at over 93% capacity.
The taps in various areas such as Duvha park, Ezinambeni, Hlalanikahle, Kriel, Vosman, and Voortrekker street downtown have been running dry for days.
The Emalahleni Local Municipality initially promised that water pumping would resume on March 30, but the situation remains unchanged.
As residents spent their Easter holidays without access to water, their frustration has reached a boiling point, leading them to consider taking their grievances to the streets.
The dire situation has left many households and businesses in distress, with no immediate relief in sight. The affected residents are exhausted from the prolonged suffering caused by the lack of essential water supply.
The municipality’s spokesperson Lebohang Mofokeng said, “However, it must be noted that it will take some time before the water levels are normal. The water that is available is from the Thungela Plant, which is distributed through the Point B reservoir.”
Speaking with the Highveld Chronicle, a resident from Ezinambeni extension 8 , who wished to remain anonymous said, “ We were told that water will be back on Sunday but still we have nothing.”
“ We are relying on JoJo tankers so far but is not enough for all of us since some of us we are working and we come back home late , to find water finished from the JoJo tankers.” she expressed.
“ I don’t think I am going to vote this year because we don’t see any improvement in service delivery. The issue of water has been going on for a long time now but still no change .” Lucky Nkosi said.
“ We have councillors but they are not giving us any answers on why do we have to keep on experiencing this challenge as the residents in Emalahleni. They will hear our voices the day we strike.” he added.
