Secunda – A water shortage in the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality, Mpumalanga, has residents up in arms.
The affected areas include Embalenhle, Van Heerden, Secunda, Bethal, Charlie Cilliers, Trichardt, Lebogang and Leandra.
Resident Mphikeleli Nkosi told The Bulrushes on Friday, 24 July 2026, that locals were enduring difficult and unpleasant conditions which they blamed on the municipality.
“We have had enough of paying bills for services that we are not being provided with,” Nkosi said.
“Taps in our yards have been without a drop of water for almost a month now.
“We are really worried because the unpleasant situation we are facing is deteriorating.
“We have no choice as we have resorted to buying still water from retailers since water is essential in our lives on a daily basis.”
Nkosi and other residents said water tankers dispatched by the municipality were not enough.
Another Resident Nhlanhla Mazibuko, said: “This huge population in the affected areas cannot rely on water tankers.
“The municipality does not have adequate tankers to service us.
“We will soon mobilise and protest against the issue.
“It is never too late or early to bring to the attention of the municipality that we will meet in the polls as the time is ticking for the local elections scheduled for November this year.
“They will surely regret it.”
In a statement dated 24 July 2026, the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality appealed to the residents to exercise patience while it attempted to resolve the issue and refrain from disseminating incorrect information.
The municipality stated that technical issues were affecting the bulk water supply system, resulting in low water levels in the reservoirs.
“The limited inflows continue to delay the recovery of the municipality distribution system and refilling of reservoirs,” the municipality said.
“As a result, several areas continue to experience low water pressure or no water supply while reservoir levels remain critically low.
“The municipality is continuously monitoring reservoir levels and managing the available water supply to ensure equitable distribution across all affected areas.”
The municipality insisted that, contrary to false information linking the water crisis to maladministration: “The current water shortages are solely the result of technical constraints affecting the bulk water supply system.”
