Frustrated residents and business owners in Ermelo, Msukaligwa Municipality are demanding urgent intervention as the area faces a severe water shortage, with some going without water for 25 days. The ongoing crisis, which has persisted for years, has led to growing calls for the municipality to be placed under administration.
Businesses Struggle to Survive
Local businesses, particularly guesthouses, say the lack of running water is crippling operations. One business owner, who runs a guesthouse, described the situation as a “disaster,” explaining that they are forced to spend thousands of rands purchasing water to accommodate guests and students from nearby Gert Sibande College.
“We can’t book guests in and expect them not to shower or use the toilet,” the owner said. “We buy water just to keep our guests and students happy, but this is unsustainable. The whole area is affected—water only comes at night, and during the day, there’s nothing.”
Residents also expressed anger over paying for services they do not receive, calling for immediate action. “We cannot continue like this. It’s not fair,” one resident said.
Allegations of Neglect and Infrastructure Failures
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has accused the municipality of failing to maintain critical infrastructure, claiming that a water reservoir meant to supply over 50,000 households has been non-functional for a decade. The party says it has escalated the issue to the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, citing not only water shortages but also sewage contamination in the Vaal River.
“This is coming to a boiling point,” a DA representative said. “Intervention is needed at every level—national and provincial—to resolve this crisis.”
Municipality Responds
The Msukaligwa Municipality acknowledged the water challenges, blaming illegal connections, pipe bursts, and airlocks in the system. Municipal spokesperson Mandla Zwane stated that repairs are underway, including the installation of hydrant heads and a booster pump in MLO East to improve water supply to affected areas.
“We are aware of the challenges, especially in high-lying areas,” Zwane said. “We are working on solutions and hope to resolve the issue soon.”
However, residents remain skeptical, with many insisting that the municipality has failed them for too long. As pressure mounts, the demand for provincial intervention grows louder, with some calling for the municipality to be placed under administration to restore basic services.
The water crisis in Msukaligwa highlights broader service delivery failures in South Africa’s municipalities, leaving residents and businesses in dire need of urgent solutions.
