Mpumalanga towns without water

2011-10-12 08:54

Mbombela - Residents of eMalahleni (Witbank), Ogies and Phola in Mpumalanga have been without water for a week, according to a report on Wednesday.

Some neighbourhoods in the areas had also been left without electricity.

Beeld newspaper interviewed several people who complained about the situation, including the owner of a smallholding outside eMalahleni, who said he had to buy water for his animals from farmers in Middelburg.

"The power and the water have been off for a week now," Henry Stevenson said.

Residents say they are not getting any answers.

Beeld said Lebohang Mofokeng, of the eMalahleni council, said he had visited Phola township and was aware of the complaints.

He said Rand Water's help was called in on Tuesday.

He blamed ageing infrastructure, and cable theft at substations, which means the water pumps are unable to work.

A security company has been appointed to guard the substations.

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- SAPA