Frustrated residents in Douglas have accused the Siyancuma Municipality of failing to address persistent water shortages, leaving hundreds of households without reliable access to water for weeks.
Residents say they have endured inconsistent water supply for years, with only one communal tap serving approximately 500 households. Many rely on weekly water tanker deliveries, which they say are insufficient. Those without the means to purchase water privately are left struggling.
“The people charge me R20 every day to bring me water, but I don’t have a wheelbarrow, I don’t have money,” said one resident. Another added, “The municipality does nothing about this area. We’ve been here for four years, and nothing has happened. They gave us a paper and told us, ‘This is your place, you can stay here,’ but they did nothing. Nothing.”
The situation worsened last weekend when a fire broke out, and residents had no water to help extinguish it.
The Siyancuma Municipality Mayor Patrick McKlein acknowledged the water challenges, stating, “We do acknowledge that there are issues with water in the whole of Siyancuma, specifically in Douglas… We are in the process of addressing them.”
However, residents remain skeptical, fearing the municipality has no immediate solution. With no relief in sight, their frustrations continue to grow as the water crisis persists.
