Residents of Tonga are enduring their third consecutive week without running water, a crisis they attribute to repeated acts of sabotage driven by internal conflicts within the local government.
The community in the Nkomazi municipality has suffered at least four major water outages within the last three months, each one traced back to vandalism of critical water infrastructure. Frustrated residents now firmly believe these acts of sabotage are a direct result of infighting among officials within the Nkomazi Municipality.
With taps dry for weeks, citizens have been forced to seek alternative water sources, leading them to a local river. This desperate measure comes with significant peril. The river is known to be dangerous, with a history of drownings, and is also home to crocodiles. Despite the clear dangers, residents report they have no other choice but to enter the water to complete essential chores, including laundry.
The ongoing water cuts have crippled daily life in Tonga, highlighting a severe and persistent failure in basic service delivery. The situation remains unresolved as the community continues to wait for a permanent solution and safe access to clean water.
