The Tswaing Local Municipality in South Africa's North West province is grappling with a multitude of challenges, including a severe sewage crisis and persistent water shortages. Residents of Letsopa, a township near Ottosdal, are wading through shin-deep sewage that has flooded their yards, roads, and pavements. The situation has been exacerbated by the municipality's failure to provide basic services such as water, sanitation, electricity, and waste removal.
The sewage crisis in Letsopa has been ongoing for an extended period, with residents like Abraham Moreo expressing frustration at the lack of attention from the municipality. Moreo, who has lived in the township for 30 years, believes that the community is bearing the brunt of an "uncaring government." The situation is further complicated by the lack of drinking water in the area, with residents forced to walk long distances to fetch water.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has been monitoring the situation in Tswaing, and in 2023, an investigation found that the constitutional rights of residents were being violated due to water and sanitation failures. The commission has since been considering court action against the municipality for its failure to address these issues.
The provincial government has taken steps to intervene in the municipality, with North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs Gaoage Molapisi announcing that a provincial representative, Moatlhodi Mosala, would assume responsibility for the council and accounting officer. The move is aimed at addressing the municipality's persistent maladministration and financial mismanagement.
Residents like Dora Seleke, a pensioner from Agisanang near Sannieshof, are struggling to access basic services such as water and sanitation. Seleke, who shares a shack with 17 others, has to pay people to carry water to her home, and her community lacks formal toilets. The situation is reflective of a broader issue, with data from the municipality showing that about 4,000 households are further than 200 meters from a water supply point.
The Auditor-General's 2024/25 audit has expressed "doubt" that the municipality will be able to continue operating due to its poor financial management. The municipality has spent only a fraction of its budget on repairs and maintenance, with R3.7-million spent in 2024/25, equivalent to just 0.5% of the value of its infrastructure.
The water crisis in Tswaing is further complicated by the reliance on underground boreholes, which are often interrupted due to poor maintenance and Eskom power disconnections. The municipality's annual report noted that it relies heavily on water tankers to provide emergency supplies, but the amount spent on this is not disclosed.
Key points
- The Tswaing Local Municipality is facing a severe crisis with residents struggling with sewage and water shortages.
- The provincial government has intervened in the municipality, with a provincial representative assuming responsibility for the council and accounting officer.
- The SAHRC is considering court action against the municipality for its failure to address constitutional violations of the right to water and sanitation.
