Households in one area in South Africa did not have water in their taps for 10 years

Residents in Nyakallong have not had water in their taps for 10 years, and households must now survive on 100 litres of trucked water each week.

This was revealed by Councillor Piet Botha, the Democratic Alliance’s Mayoral Candidate for the Matjhabeng Local Municipality.

Nyakallong is a residential township in Allanridge, within the Matjhabeng Local Municipality in the Free State goldfields region.

Like the main town of Allanridge, Nyakallong’s local economy and development historically depended on gold mining operations.

Nyakallong’s name originates from Sesotho and means “a place of rejoicing.” However, there has not been much rejoicing of late.

The area has been heavily affected by systemic municipal infrastructure failures, which include widespread water problems.

During an oversight visit to Nyakallong, residents complained that they had not had water in their taps for more than 10 years due to a pressure problem.

A water truck now delivers 100 litres of water per household per week if the drum, bucket, or bottles are outside when the truck passes through the area.

Residents in Nyakallong have to wash, do laundry, flush the toilet and still cook with only 100 litres of water.

If no receptacle is left for the truck to fill, that house is skipped, and the household will be left without water.

That means that the household is forced to purchase water in town and transport it home at their own expense.

Residents said that they have reported the issue to their ANC Councillor since the beginning, but he has done nothing for their plight.

“He does not even report back to them when they have serious service delivery problems, although he resides in Nyakallong itself,” Botha said.

Botha committed to writing to the Municipal Manager, the Director of Technical Services, and Vaal Central Water to request assistance with the pressure problem.

A request will also be submitted for Ministerial Infrastructure Grant (MIG) funds to assist with the installation of booster pumps, if the investigation requires it.

A letter will also be written to the Human Rights Commission to investigate the matter under section 27 of the Constitution.