By REGINALD KANYANE
27 February 2026- Widespread, persistent water and sanitation challenges continue to rock the clinic in Mothanthanyane village, near Taung. It is alleged that the clinic was forced to partially close due to severe, chronic water shortages that are crippling health service delivery and compromising hygiene.
One of the employees at the clinic who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said the crisis is exacerbated by failing infrastructure, poor maintenance and lack of electricity. She said it has been three months since they experienced this contrasting issue.
“Patients had to be returned back home due to lack of water within the facility. The facility has been without running water for over three months, leading to severe sanitation issues and frustration among staff and patients.
“We have reported this matter to the North West Department of Health, but we continue to face service delivery, maintenance, and equipment issues,” said our source.
The North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said it is aware of water and electricity issues at the clinic. Lekgethwane said they can also confirm that the provision of water is the responsibility of Magalies Water.
“At the same time, the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) is responsible for providing the community with water on an emergency basis. However, the department upon realizing that there was no water provision at Mothanthanyaneng village, procured a water tank as an emergency relief for consumption by staff and patients.
“The borehole at the clinic will be serviced to ensure that it supplies water when Magalies Water is not supplying water. The maintenance team of artisans was dispatched to Monthanthanyaneng clinic to resolve the electricity supply issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi during his State of the Province (SOPA) said, Operation Bulela Metsi remains a critical initiative to fast-track and bolster their efforts of ensuring equitable access to this precious resource. Mokgosi said to date, they have spent close to R300m for water and sanitation
projects in Maquassi Hills and the villages of Segakwaneng, Manamakgotheng, Pahalane, Makoshong in Moretele Local Municipality as well as Kokomeng, Khudutlou, Molelema and Longaneng in the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM).
“An additional R1.9 billion has been set aside for ongoing bulk water supply projects in Madibeng, Ratlou, Mahikeng and Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipalities,” he said.
The Guardian 