By OBAKENG MAJE 

12 August 2025- The residents in Huhudi Township and other surrounding areas call on the Minister of Department of Water and Sanitation, Penny Majodina to probe the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District over water tankering. These residents alleged that some municipal officials are conniving with ‘water mafias’ who have infiltrated their areas in quest of derailing the provision of water. 

According to one of the community leaders who refused to be named for fear of reprisal, the appointed service providers for water tankering at municipality allegedly partake in vandalising water infrastructure in the area to keep water tankering business afloat. He alleged that the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality spends almost R2 million per month on water tankering, which is a lucrative business for ‘water mafias’. 

“These people are allegedly involved in vandalizing water infrastructure, creating water shortages and then profiting by selling water through tankers. Sometimes they go and vandalise some water infrastructure, so that we do not receive water from our taps. 

“It is alleged that they are in cahoots with some corrupt officials from the municipality. Remember, water and sanitation are fundamental aspects of public health, sustainable development and human rights hence we call on Majodina to come and launch investigations regarding these allegations,” he said. 

He said the alleged collusion between criminals and officials erodes public trust in the municipality. 

The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality spokesperson, Joe Motlhasedi refuted allegations and said as the municipality, they are not aware of any officials conniving with water tankering service providers. Motlhasedi said they regard that as pure allegations since there is no proof. 

“If there is any, that person can go and open up a case. The municipality is spending in the region of about R2 million across the district. It is not every time that the water infrastructure has been vandalized. 

“In the Vryburg area in particular, the municipality has sourced the services of a security company deployed at water and sewer pump stations and in the last financial year,” he said. 

Motlhasedi said they do not remember if there was a case of vandalism, but they experience breakdowns on boreholes now and again. He said fixing of the infrastructure within the whole district was around R18 million. 

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) Chief Director: Local Government Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, James Mashigo said even though they do not have any proof that some municipal officials connive with water service providers, they cannot just dismiss these allegations.  

“Many residents continue to bring these allegations forward, but there is no proof so far on whether these allegations are true or not. So, there are efforts of mobilisation of resources for our key Districts in terms of making sure that there is bulk more especially for water. 

“This will assist in making sure that we are able to improve our own service provision. We have consultative processes with various municipalities in terms of turning things around,” he said.

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