City of Mbombela mayor Sibongile Mazibuko-Makhushe says the municipality is losing 91% of its water to illegal connections, leaving residents’ taps dry.
Mazibuko-Makhushe and officials from the municipality yesterday embarked on a campaign to disconnect the illegal connections in Kabokweni, which covers Bhejukufa, Makoko and Eziweni, among other areas.
The municipality said it was looking at getting security companies to guard its infrastructure.
“We were doing our audits that told us that we are losing around 91% of our water from the reservoirs to illegal connections around Kabokweni. When you are losing around 90% of what you should give to the community, you might as well close shop.
“We took a decision to remove these illegal connections because some people are connected to the bulk line, [leading to water] not reaching the communities [it is intended for],” Mazibuko-Makhushe said.
She said since they started the operation to cut the illegal connections, they have seen change.
“Our biggest reservoir, situated near the Themba Hospital, has reached 70% of water storage, which is something that has not happened for years.
“What pleases us is that the community has decided to enter the space and help in reporting those who are illegally tempering with our systems. What we have decided is that from now on, each and every infrastructure of the municipality will be safely guarded by our law enforcers and the community,” said Mazibuko-Makhushe.
She said the municipality would ensure that all communities are properly connected so that they can be billed.
“Everybody knows that municipal services need to be paid for, we have not been collecting [revenue] in many areas here for years... We are connecting them properly so that we can start billing them.”
Community members said they supported the disconnections.
Zuko Tsemana said his house last had water in March.
“With the huge illegal water connections, I don’t think it will be easy for the municipality to solve the water issue. We know those people stealing water and I can say almost half the community is stealing water from the main reservoirs. We just hope that from now onwards, they [municipality] look after the reservoirs,” said Tsemana.
Absalom Madonsela, who runs a car wash business, hopes the intervention would lead to the municipality stopping the water rationing.
newsdesk@sowetan.co.za
Mbombela ‘losing 91% of water’ to illegal connections
Municipality to hire security to guard infrastructure
Image: Mandla Khoza
City of Mbombela mayor Sibongile Mazibuko-Makhushe says the municipality is losing 91% of its water to illegal connections, leaving residents’ taps dry.
Mazibuko-Makhushe and officials from the municipality yesterday embarked on a campaign to disconnect the illegal connections in Kabokweni, which covers Bhejukufa, Makoko and Eziweni, among other areas.
The municipality said it was looking at getting security companies to guard its infrastructure.
“We were doing our audits that told us that we are losing around 91% of our water from the reservoirs to illegal connections around Kabokweni. When you are losing around 90% of what you should give to the community, you might as well close shop.
“We took a decision to remove these illegal connections because some people are connected to the bulk line, [leading to water] not reaching the communities [it is intended for],” Mazibuko-Makhushe said.
She said since they started the operation to cut the illegal connections, they have seen change.
“Our biggest reservoir, situated near the Themba Hospital, has reached 70% of water storage, which is something that has not happened for years.
“What pleases us is that the community has decided to enter the space and help in reporting those who are illegally tempering with our systems. What we have decided is that from now on, each and every infrastructure of the municipality will be safely guarded by our law enforcers and the community,” said Mazibuko-Makhushe.
She said the municipality would ensure that all communities are properly connected so that they can be billed.
“Everybody knows that municipal services need to be paid for, we have not been collecting [revenue] in many areas here for years... We are connecting them properly so that we can start billing them.”
Community members said they supported the disconnections.
Zuko Tsemana said his house last had water in March.
“With the huge illegal water connections, I don’t think it will be easy for the municipality to solve the water issue. We know those people stealing water and I can say almost half the community is stealing water from the main reservoirs. We just hope that from now onwards, they [municipality] look after the reservoirs,” said Tsemana.
Absalom Madonsela, who runs a car wash business, hopes the intervention would lead to the municipality stopping the water rationing.
newsdesk@sowetan.co.za
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