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Mollet Ndebele, Sunday News Reporter
RESIDENTS in Plumtree are living in fear of water-borne diseases as the town has gone for three weeks without water.
Some of the residents told Sunday News that the town could not access tapped water owing to electricity challenges. The residents have been relying on boreholes that they also said were failing to cater for everyone.
Mr Thabani Ngwenya, a resident, said there were now fears that diseases such as cholera might surface.
“It has been three weeks now without water and we have been scrambling for the few boreholes that we have. As if that is not enough we have to walk three kilometres to get to the nearest borehole. Besides the scramble for water we also fear an outbreak of cholera because it’s a bit challenging to get water to clean toilets,” said Mr Ngwenya.
He also said some residents have now resorted to going to the bush to relieve themselves. Another resident, Miss Angela Moyo said residents were now waking up at night to queue at the few boreholes, risking being mugged.
“We have to wake up at 3am to fetch water because during the day we will be working and it is the only time when there are few people fetching water. This is a very dangerous hour to be out. House break ins have also been on the rise as thieves break in when people are at the borehole,” said Miss Moyo.
She blamed the council for failing to address the problem.
“We have been waiting for the city council to tell us what they are planning because we are getting impatient day by day,” she said.
Town secretary, Mr Davis Dumezweni Luthe said the local authority was aware of the problem and efforts have been put in place to address the challenge.
“We have a few boreholes therefore we have earmarked money for three extra boreholes but unfortunately we don’t have machines to drill the boreholes. We have to rely on the District Development Fund (DDF) and they keep saying they are coming so we are also waiting,” he said.
Meanwhile, the border town is also grappling with electricity shortages, a challenge which is contributing to the water problem. The town has been in the dark for over a month, disrupting key service delivery.
Online Reporter