Residents across several communities such as Ganalaagte in the North West province have been left without running water for weeks, despite repeated appeals to local authorities for intervention. The Tswaing Local Municipality and Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, responsible for water provision, have been accused of failing to address the crisis, leaving thousands struggling to access a basic necessity.
A Crisis Ignored
Community members in Ganalaagte Village and surrounding areas report that all four water-pumping engines—critical for supplying reservoirs—have been non-functional for nearly a month. Instead of proactive maintenance, residents claim municipal leaders wait until systems completely collapse before acting.
“Our leaders are reactive, not proactive,” said Godfrey, a frustrated resident. “They wait for all engines to break down before responding. If just one was fixed early, we wouldn’t be in this situation.”
Daily Struggles for Water
With taps dry, villagers resort to desperate measures—pushing wheelbarrows to distant water sources or relying on unsafe alternatives. Elderly residents, who once received free transport to voting stations during elections, now struggle to fetch water with no assistance from local officials.
“During elections, politicians are everywhere, offering rides to the polls. Now, when we need help, they disappear,” one resident lamented.
Municipal Inaction
Efforts to engage the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, the water authority, have yielded little. Community leaders say reports to municipal counselors go unanswered, with no urgency to repair infrastructure.
The ongoing neglect was highlighted. “This isn’t a new issue—it’s been years of poor maintenance and empty promises,”.
Calls for Accountability
Residents demand immediate action, urging the municipality to prioritize water infrastructure and address systemic failures. With no timeline for repairs, the crisis deepens, leaving many to wonder if their pleas will ever be heard.
As of now, neither the Tswaing nor Ngaka Modiri Molema municipalities have provided a formal response to the allegations.