{
  "id": 11859790,
  "title": "R750m spent on boreholes, but many don’t produce water",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/r750m-spent-on-boreholes-but-many-dont-produce-water",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-04T06:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/r750m-spent-on-boreholes-but-many-dont-produce-water/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Mopani District Municipality has invested over R750 million in drilling boreholes since 2002, but many of these boreholes have not yielded any water. The district, home to nearly 1.2 million people, boasts 1,741 boreholes; however, only 991 are currently operational. Eskom is yet to energize 309 of them, while 74 boreholes have had their equipment stolen and 84 have been vandalized.\n\nDespite these setbacks, the newly elected Mopani District Mayor, Dagma Mamanyoha, assured residents at a town hall meeting in Sekororo, Hoedspruit, that water will soon be available. \"We will correct where we failed,\" he stated, reaffirming his commitment to delivering basic services such as water, electricity, road paving, and improved sanitation. Mamanyoha acknowledged that not all promises may be fulfilled at once, but he is confident that assistance is on the way. He emphasized the importance of residents protecting the newly provided services, warning that theft from communal boreholes directly impacts the entire community by denying them access to a basic human right.\n\nMamanyoha also highlighted the issue of water losses due to pipe leaks, bursts, and theft by organized water mafias. He urged residents to report any vandalism or leaks to the authorities to ensure the efficient functioning of these vital services. According to a recent report by the Department of Water and Sanitation, South Africa loses approximately R26 billion annually to water losses, primarily due to aging infrastructure, leaks, illegal connections, and inadequate municipal maintenance.",
  "summary": "While a large proportion of the boreholes in Mopani District Municipality are not working, politicians campaigning in the area have promised to do better.",
  "key_points": [
    "Mopani District invested R750m in 1,741 boreholes since 2002",
    "Only 991 boreholes operational, 309 unenergized",
    "Mayor Dagma Mamanyoha pledges to deliver water services"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}