The Residents of Merio Walk Village in Whittlesea, Eastern Cape, face a major water crisis.
They have been forced to fetch water from the river since July this year.
Residents say they often travel long distances to fetch water from the river and sometimes even do their laundry there.
They claim they reported the issue to the Chris Hani District Municipality, which only delivered water on 4 July and never returned.
Community leader Babalwa Rini said the truck that brought the water was half-full, leaving some villagers without water.
“Residents have to risk their health and use the dirty river water. The water is not right for human consumption as kids complain of stomach aches and diarrhoea.”
Babalwa said the last time they had water in their taps was in the first week of July.
“We have been collecting water from the river. On Wednesday, 13 August, we planned to go to the Chris Hani District Municipality to demand water when a truck arrived in the village with water.
“Not everyone had water, but our councillor said people must wait. We have been waiting for a long time, and don’t have time to wait. We want water,” she said.
Babalwa said all they want is for the municipality to fix the water pumping engine so that they can get water like everyone else.
Ward councillor Nocawe Twalo said there are 34 wards in the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality, and Merino Walk Village residents need to be patient.
Chris Hani District Municipality spokeswoman Thobeka Mqamelo said the village receives water from an electric borehole.
“The pump and motor burnt out on 1 August 2025. Municipal intervention in the situation includes emergency sourcing of material, which has started to repair this borehole.”
Mqamelo said currently the area is supplied with water trucks as temporary relief, notwithstanding that there are more areas that the same trucks are expected to service.
“The long-term plan is that the Hewu bulk water supply project, which will supply the villages, is under construction, having started in November 2024,” she said.
