For almost a year, the residents of Mkhonjane Village in Cacadu have faced a severe water crisis, forcing them to rely on a costly and often unsafe private water market while their own taps remain dry.
The community’s water pumps are non-functional, with dry village steps standing as a stark symbol of the failure of the infrastructure. This has led to a desperate situation where donkeys and trucks have become the primary means of delivering water, a basic necessity.
“There is no rain at all. We buy unsafe water from the river because people dump dirty stuff and we have no other option but to consume the same water. Life is not easy for us,” one resident lamented, highlighting the health risks the community is forced to take.
The financial burden is significant for a community where many rely on social grants. A single barrel of water costs between 50 and 80 rand, a steep price for water needed for drinking, cooking, laundry, and livestock.
“If you see a tractor passing by, you must know it is selling water. We have dry water tabs here,” another resident stated. “We buy water from the donkey owners and truck owners. If you do not have money, you are out. We need water urgently. We have kids and these kids go to school without bathing.”
The Chris Hani District Municipality, the authority responsible for the area, attributes the crisis to rampant theft and vandalism. A municipal spokesperson explained, “As the Chris Hani district municipality, we have been experiencing a high number of theft and vandalism which continues to impact negatively on the already distressed operations and maintenance financial resources.”
The spokesperson cited a generator as an example. “A faulty generator which is currently under repairs. It was vandalized and the generator was stolen but the procurement processes are underway in making sure that we replace the generator.”
In response to the crisis, the municipality says it has deployed water trucks to the village to provide temporary relief.
Meanwhile, the water shortage has created an unexpected economic opportunity for some villagers with donkeys or trucks. One local water vendor acknowledged the dual nature of his business.
“I’m helping a lot of people in this village because there is no water,” he said. “Water is life and is in demand.” However, he also noted the physical limitations of his donkeys and the pressure from the community. He expressed a conflicted outlook, admitting, “Yes, we need water but on the other hand our business will suffer if government provides water in this village because we are not employed.”
Another vendor confirmed the high demand, charging 50 rand per barrel and operating his water-carting service almost daily. Despite these private efforts, the overarching sentiment in Mkhonjane Village remains one of urgent need, with residents continuing to call for a permanent and reliable solution from the government to restore their access to clean, running water.