A severe water shortage has left Tonga Hospital and seven villages in Nkomazi without running water for more than 15 days, forcing residents to rely on a nearby river and purchase costly alternatives. The Nkomazi Municipality blames the crisis on criminals stealing cables, pipes, and vandalizing critical water infrastructure.
Daily Life Disrupted
Residents have been forced to fetch water from the Komati River for household chores, drinking, and even medical needs. “We walk a long distance to come here. We might drown ourselves here in the water—it’s not safe for us,” one resident said.
Local businesses are also suffering. Tebogo Zitha, who runs a car wash and sells chips, says she now has to buy water at R350 per tank. “I can’t make a profit because I have to buy water for washing cars and preparing food,” she explained.
Hospital in Crisis
The situation is dire at Tonga Hospital, where hygiene and patient care have been severely compromised. Relatives of patients, including new mothers and children, are bringing their own water.
“We are suffering. We don’t have water, and we don’t know what to do,” a frustrated resident said. “Children carry water to school, and we take water to the hospital so our relatives can bathe.”
Municipality Blames Sabotage
The Nkomazi Municipality claims the water shortages stem from criminal activity targeting infrastructure, particularly at the main raw water pump station.
“This is pure criminality. They steal cables and pipes for copper, destroying public infrastructure,” a municipal representative said. “Depriving people of water is something we strongly condemn.”
While the municipality says it is prioritizing the hospital, many villages remain without relief. Meanwhile, water tanker businesses are thriving, while those without means face long, dangerous trips to the river.
With no immediate solution in sight, residents are pleading for urgent intervention before the crisis worsens.
