THE residents have decided to dig wells in their kasi to try and avoid the shortage of water.
According to the residents of Marikana in Tswaing View, Tshwane, the problem started in November 2023 when the city reduced water trucks in their area.
The residents who've been living in the informal settlement since 2014 said the City of Tshwane intervened in their water situation in 2018 by bringing five water trucks and at least 28 JoJo tanks to reduce the water challenges.
According to the concerned residents, one water truck wasn't enough for more than 2 000 households.
Dineo Chauke (34) said that before 2018, they would buy water.
Dineo said water is a huge crisis in their area.
"We desperately need a water solution in our area. One water truck is not enough for us. We need water every day," she said.
She said the city is aware of their water crisis.
A 47-year-old man who dug a well told Daily Sun that he didn't dig the well out of love but out of frustration.
He said he used water from the well to do his washing, bathing and watering his vegetables, but he didn't drink it. Residents have resorted to using it as they come to ask for water to do washing and for bathing.
"I'm a community man. I don't sell them water but help out of love," he said.
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The man said it took him over one month to dig because the place has stones. He said that the well was almost six metres deep, and he was helped by his family.
The residents said that if the water crisis was not speedily resolved, the whole place would be full of dangerous wells.
The City of Tshwane spokesman, Lindela Mashigo, said it has 210 known informal settlements where there are no services provided in terms of clean running water or sanitation.
He said the city also does not have an existing water supply in close proximity to all informal settlements to enable provision of water through, for example, communal taps.
Mashigo further said that residents were also urged to avoid illegal occupation of land, which results in serious challenges for the city and communities.
