Giyani council blames 'very old' infrastructure

TAPS in Giyani's central business district and surrounding residential areas have run dry.

The dire water shortage has forced residents to go thirsty and some businesses have been forced to temporarily shut down.

It is alleged that the taps had been dry since last Friday after the main water pipeline from the Nsami Purification Plant burst.

Jonathan Brown of the Giyani Spar said businesses had lost a lot of money since Monday because of the water problem in the area.

"We have more than 130 employees and because of a lack of water, our people have had to walk long distances to the bushes to relieve themselves," said Brown.

Brown said yesterday his business was operating after a local doctor - who has a borehole on his property - supplied him with water.

Martha Chauke, of Giyani section D2, said: "We are facing death because of this shortage of water."

Risimati Jackson Chabalala, operations and maintenance officer at the Mopane district municipality, said the municipality was trying to resolve the problem.

"The problem is that the main pipe is very old. We have asked a specialist technician to come up with a permanent solution," he said.

Asked why no water tankers were being used to alleviate the situation, he said the municipality only had two tankers and "the affected area is too big for them".

Greater Giyani municipality spokesman Room Mdaka apologised to the affected business community and residents.

"We have also approached various local radio stations to inform business and residents about this unfortunate incident. We promise they will soon get water," Mdaka said.