Thaba Chweu residents blame municipality for contaminated water

Residents of Thaba Chweu Municipality in Mpumalanga continue to grapple with a water crisis, five years after a promise to resolve the issue. Concerns over water quality, sewage pollution, and unsafe levels of coliform bacteria have led to stomach pains among residents who lack the means to purchase alternative sources. The municipality has been accused of failing to address sewage discharge into local streams, leading to a cholera-like situation.

Residents, who have been without water infrastructure for over a decade, express frustration at the municipality's indifference. Jim Mosotho, an EFF councillor, highlights that farm communities are suffering the most from contaminated water. The Democratic Alliance (DA) had previously charged the municipality for providing unsafe water, resulting in a fine of R5 million.

However, the municipality has not met the deadlines set for wastewater treatment improvements, leading to further environmental degradation.