By OBAKENG MAJE
A total shutdown over a shortage of water is looming in Taung, if what Tlhokego Ya Metsi Concerned Group is saying, is anything to go by. Tlhokego Ya Metsi Concerned Group representatives, had a consultative engagement with the Batlhaping Baga Phuduhucwana Chief, Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane, at the tribal authority office on Tuesday, to discuss water shortage challenges.
One of the Tlhokego Ya Metsi Concerned Group representatives, Otlotleng Jabari said, lack of access to clean and drinkable water is one of the most pressing challenges in Taung.
Jabari said, it is deplorable for people to suffer from lack of water. He further said, it’s been months since engaging the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality and Magalies Water, but their plea fell in deaf ears.
“Lack of water provision affects various aspects of society and it seems this is not taken into consideration. What is disappointing is that, last month, we had a consultative engagement with all stakeholders and we were promised that there will be water running out of our taps within 24 hours.
“However, that was a fib because there still no water coming out of our taps. They even promised to install a water pipe in Khibicwane as another means. Now, we came to meet with Mankuroane over that issue because all that was said in his presence,” he said.
Jabari added that, now, they are declaring a war against what he regarded as inhumane treatment.
The Batlhaping Baga Phuduhucwana Chief, Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane shared the same sentiments. Makuroane said water is life. He said he will engage with the relevant authorities and revert back to the community.
“Shortage of water continues to be a challenging factor in our area. I agree that, last month, we had a consultative meeting with all relevant authorities and they promised the community that, there will be uninterrupted water provision.
“So, it is sad to hear that nothing of all the promises were implemented. I will engage the municipality on this matter and give a feedback. Indeed, water is life and a human right. So, without water, there is no life,” he said.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation, Robert Mashego, has raised alarm at the water shortages currently being experienced across the country. Mashego called for intergovernmental interventions to manage this scarce resource and also for enhanced maintenance of water systems infrastructure to ensure water continues to be provided to citizens.
“The committee has since its inception called for increased investment in infrastructure maintenance to deal with water leaks and eradicate unacceptably high levels of non-revenue water.
“Also, the committee has emphasised the critical need for behavioural change by consumers to pay for services and also use to water wisely. There is a critical role municipalities must play in the water value chain, a responsibility that municipalities have largely abandoned,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) responsible for Infrastructure, at the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Pico Seepamere, did not respond to our calls.
TaungDailyNews 