▶️the post Community Members Now Fed Up with Half-Decade-Long Makhanda Water Crisis appeared first on Karibu – A Working Class News.
For over five years, the community of Makhanda has been struggling with a severe water crisis.
Despite numerous complaints, protests, and community meetings, the local municipality has failed to act in the community’s interest.
In the past, the Gift of the Givers organisation provided some form of relief to the communities by delivering water to households, schools, and health facilities. However, their support has stopped, leaving many areas without water for weeks.
Community members are suffering a lot. Mr Lubabalo Bovuka (34), a father of two, explained that the lack of water affects his family’s daily life. “We can’t flush our toilets, and when the water truck arrives, the lines are long, and we often don’t get any water,” he said. “Our children get sick from drinking water from the tanks, suffering from vomiting, diarrhoea, and rash,” explained Bavuka.
The residents who don’t have access to water tanks are forced to rely on wells for water supply. However, the cleanliness and safety of well water are not guaranteed, sometimes it causes a serious risk of cholera which is a big health risk to those who use the water from the wells.
Nwabisa Mhlahla (31), a Makhanda resident, is also concerned about the ongoing water crises. “The situation is getting worse by the day, we need the municipality to find a solution to this water problem, our community deserves access to clean and safe water,” said Mhlahla.
It’s heartbreaking that women, children, and the elderly are suffering the most from the water crisis. Women spend all day queuing with buckets, waiting for water. The community in Makanda urgently needs help to solve this water problem.
This article was submitted on 27 November 2024. You may republish this article, so long as you credit the authors and Karibu! Online (www.Karibu.org.za), and do not change the text. Please include a link back to the original article.
