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TAKEN FOR A RIDE: Residents of Dipateng in Botlokwa, Limpopo, run the gauntlet of speeding cars on the N1 highway between Polokwane and Makhado to fetch water from the other side of the highway. Photo: Elijar Mushiana

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This has been going on for more than two years. They have to fetch water from Sefene village across the N1.

The situation has become so desperate that some villagers buy water from a nearby Muslim church, where a 200-litre container costs R25. The water is sourced from a borehole.

The area falls under the Capricorn district municipality, which had installed pipes in two phases in the village but water has still to be provided for the villagers.

A huge tank installed to provide water to the area has not helped as it is empty.

Of grave concern is that some of those who are forced to risk their lives are elderly people. The road is also the gateway to Africa, which connects South Africa with other African countries through Zimbabwe.

Concerned resident Vusi Ramusi told Sowetan of the hardships they have had to endure as a result of the lack of water.

He attributed the problem to a lack of leadership from a local councillor.

"The councillor assigned to this place does not have the interest of the people at heart. He has demonstrated that by allowing such a long time to pass without residents getting water," Ramusi said yesterday.

He said in the past there had been a tap providing water to the villagers. Since the installation of the pipes two years ago the tap was mysteriously broken.

"We feel we are being taken for a ride because each time we approach elections water comes to us in bulk but soon thereafter it's back to square one," he said.

Council spokesman Moffat Senyatsi acknowledged yesterday that there was a backlog of water supply in those areas.

"Our main priority in the next financial year will be th e communities who have had no water over the past year or so," he said.

"The new budget, staring in July, will accommodate that."

Comments

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Thu May 23 11:52:06 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 20, 2012

Papage

What hapenned to the Promises ANC made to this people?
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Apr 20, 2012

weneedeconomicfreedom

ANC cannot deliver the services to the people because at the moment they are fighting for power, marrying so many wives and introducing e-tolls, they abviously forgot about the people who voted for them. they will come back to them just before elections to make another promises.
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Apr 20, 2012

brikado

di councilor tsako hae botlokwa dija zaka instead of helping da community..what the hell..
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Apr 20, 2012

Tasto

Blame D.A
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Apr 20, 2012

beautiful4

oh poor people!!! how long is it gonna take for us to enjoy the fruits of our freedom in this country!? nxa!!
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Apr 20, 2012

eisleben

Two years? Nke le tlogeleng ho apa matšhila le šomišeng marapo a lena a hlogo and stop blaming things on the state. The state may not be going anywhere but you must vote for a government of your choice.
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Apr 20, 2012

Tsokombela

i saw a couple crossing a busy road in polokwane near moria,zcc,last weekend as well,was shocked that people that side dont have water, anc what going on??????
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Apr 20, 2012

eisleben

There is the gravy train coming to government coffersland and the councillors are fighting to get on board. You and the water that you need are number thirteen on their queue of priorities. The municipality is called Molemole and I do not see any mention of the LM in there. Capricorn is the larger district, for you Mr Author. Nothing stops the people of Molemole municipality from identifying their problem and voting for a party that will put a candidate who will solve their water problem.
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Apr 20, 2012

Gaduka

What Speeding cars SOWETAN...FYI, it is 60KM/H Zone. Why didn't u add that to your article...Mapara Journos
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Apr 20, 2012

magebula

Vanhu va Xikwembu ku ve ni mati makona ma dzunga munyu ya borise ni vana va vanhu meno.mfumo awu languti Botlokwa shem.
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