Residents of Secunda and Bethal in Mpumalanga are growing increasingly frustrated over prolonged water shortages, with some communities left without reliable water for months.
Many households have been forced to find alternative sources of clean drinking water, including collecting supplies from a wastewater treatment plant located just outside residential areas in parts of Bethal.
Community members say the municipality is not doing enough to address the problem. Some residents reported going without water for as long as eight months, relying on promises of water tankers that have not materialised consistently. They also claim their local councillor has shown little attention to the issue and failed to provide updates or solutions.
The mayor of the Govan Mbeki Municipality confirmed that reservoirs remain at critically low levels. The mayor explained that the shortages stem from limited bulk line capacity and insufficient structural infrastructure, which are struggling to cope with the growing population.
Municipal authorities stated that the water crisis will only be resolved once upgrades to the water infrastructure are completed.
The ongoing situation continues to disrupt daily life for residents in Secunda and Bethal, raising concerns about access to basic services in the region.
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