HUNDREDS of Nelson Mandela Bay families are having a bleak festive season.
This is because they haven’t had water for three months.
And the water shortage in parts of Nelson Mandela Bay has forced residents of Area 11 in Gunguluza to rely on water trucks. But the residents complained that the water from the trucks is only enough to cook, drink and wash, so it is difficult for them to hold festivities.
Resident Phumeza Daweti said: “We last had water in October and must rely on water being trucked in.
“We sometimes line up with our water containers, but the truck doesn’t arrive. We are struggling to wash our clothes and it becomes a struggle for people who are arranging funerals or other festive season festivities.”
Resident Sicelo Mabomba said they noticed that the water from the truck sometimes causes runny stomachs and diarrhoea.
Nelson Mandela Bay water distribution director Joseph Tsatsire said: “The metro is still in a crisis when it comes to the provision of water. Currently, our dam levels is sitting just above 16% which means we don’t have enough water in our dams. But our storage systems reflect that we have enough water to supply our residents. In Gunguluza, we are experiencing a challenge in the informal settlement as they need additional standpipes. People are not getting water because of the standpipe shortage hence we are sending water trucks to that area to provide the necessary water.”
