• The Chris Hani District Municipality in the Eastern Cape has spent more than R66 million on various water-related projects.
• Residents of villages in the region say water has not flowed from their taps for a long time
• South Africans want to know where the money went if projects don’t work as they should

EASTERN CAPE — Many villages in Ngcobo still lack piped water, although the district municipality has spent millions on water projects in the area.

Many of these villages never had water, while others dried up long ago, leaving South Africans wondering where the money went.

GroundUp recently revealed that the Chris Hani District Municipality had spent more than R66 million on water-related projects, but these projects had been approved as completed, even though they were not fully functional.

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Seven hydraulic developments built in Ngcobo

According to municipal spokesperson Bulelwa Ganyaza, seven water supply systems have been constructed in Ngcobo area.

These include phase 1 of the Lokshin project, which began in 2015 but was not completed until 2020. Phase 2 was supposed to be completed in May 2021 but did not end until September 2023 Villagers in the area said their taps stay dry despite the millions spent on the projects.

A water reticulation project in Sundwana is another sensitive issue for residents. Despite municipal assurances that the project was completed in April 2022, contractors say it wasn’t completed until 2024 and still had issues that needed to be corrected.

Projects handed over to communities

The main complaint of many of these villagers is that the projects have been approved as completed.

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One of the village sub-chiefs, Gcinisizwe Mbeshu, believes the projects were approved to unlock funds for entrepreneurs.

“The municipality of Chris Hani tells us that tests have been carried out and the taps have water, but no community members have been called to testify,” he said.

He added that in some areas only standpipes were installed, without taps, but the project was nevertheless considered complete.

South Africans share their thoughts

While some social media users wondered what happened to the money, others wondered why people they still voted for corrupt officials.

@morrow_nw asked:

“Why do they keep voting for this? »

@nkewuernest5068 said:

“What is happening in rural areas is bad. Corruption with the leaders in collaboration with the municipal leaders, who sell water to the people.

@Tata963491189 asked:

“Where did the money go ?”

@barry_niekerk said:

“Meanwhile, another group of instant millionaires are enjoying the fruits of their crimes at the expense of the people. »

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@intrepidesigner added:

“30 years of ANC rule has done nothing to uplift, enrich or educate the poor. Instead, @MYANC criminally looted to enrich himself and his cadres. Electricity and water facilities have not been maintained and infrastructure has not developed sufficiently to supply the growing population. SA is captured.

@ITink34Iam said:

“As long as they continue to vote for the ANC, everything is fine.”

The European community drinks water from dams

In a related article, In brief News reported how the community of Gobozana had to consuming contaminated dam water by animal droppings.

Residents in the Eastern Cape have no access to water and say they have received little or no help from the Water Board.

The Amatola Water Board acknowledged the problems and committed to developing plans to resolve them.

Source: In Brief News