Residents forced to share water with animals in small South African village

Residents of the small village of Turkey in Limpopo have resorted to drawing water from a well also used by animals after more than a decade without a reliable water supply.

Turkey is located within Ward 7 of the Maruleng Local Municipality, which falls under the Mopani District Municipality in southern Limpopo.

Residents of Turkey have reportedly been without access to reliable water for more than ten years, as the pipes, valves, and boreholes which supply the village remain broken and inoperable.

Member of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature Marie Helm described the municipality’s indifference and unresponsiveness to the issue as “unacceptable.”

“For more than a decade, residents of Turkey in Ward 7 of Maruleng have pleaded for reliable water,” Helm said.

“Despite repeated appeals by the community, and promises that the problems would be resolved, large parts of the settlement, including the Rakgolokwana High School, remain high and dry.”

According to Helm, some residents have resorted to paying private suppliers to deliver water as no municipal water tankers have been dispatched to service the area.

While the mountain reservoir behind the village has water, issues with the supply pipes and valves prevent this from reaching the residents.

The Maruleng municipality reportedly promised to supply a replacement pipe, but this has not yet been delivered, while the local borehole also remains unusable due to a broken pump.

A community meeting was held on 5 October, with a petition signed by more than 300 residents sent to the municipality three days later, requesting a response within five business days.

Helm called on the Maruleng and Mopani municipalities to provide immediate access to safe, clean water for the residents of Turkey, and to urgently repair the broken water infrastructure.

“Reliable water is essential for health, schooling, farming, and small businesses,” Helm said. “Municipal failure undermines basic rights and people’s dignity.”

“It also prevents businesses from growing and creating jobs. Turkey’s residents have waited long enough. A full reservoir and empty promises mean little when the taps remain dry.”

Frustrations over Turkey’s water problems allegedly also led to the murder of Moshwene Frans Mokgotho on 6 September 2020.

Mokgotho, a communal farmer, was allegedly attacked and killed by an angry mob over his continued access to water.

Then CoGHSTA MEC Basikopo Makumu was called on at the time to investigate water access in Maruleng and have the existing boreholes repaired.

Pule Shayi, who previously served as Executive Mayor of the Mopani District Municipality and oversaw Maruleng’s Water Services Authority, now serves as the current MEC for CoGHSTA.