THE residents of the villages of Manyii, Mamvuka and Matsa in Limpopo say they're tired of competing with animals for water.
Water shortages have forced residents to use contaminated water from two fountains for cooking, drinking and other daily household needs.
The residents said they are afraid of getting sick because they've been sharing the dirty water with animals such as donkeys, cows and baboons for more than 20 years.
They claimed that they have approached the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) several times to address their water problems, but nothing happened.
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Villager Tshimangadzo Mudau told Daily Sun that they're calling on the municipality to address the water shortage.
Residents said they tried to raise money from every household to drill a borehole in 2019, but the municipality allegedly prevented them from doing so.
They were allegedly told that the municipality would drill a borehole for them, which they did, but it has not been connect to power.
Richard Mukhaninga Ramabulana from the Vhembe Concerned Group said the situation is disheartening.
"Due to the water shortage, some residents are using the water without boiling it, which is not healthy. We hope the municipality can urgently provide water tankers while they find a permanent solution for the two broken wells," he said.
Vhembe municipal spokesman Matodzi Ralushai acknowledged that there was a problem.
"The Mamvuka and Manyii project was done a few years ago and the boreholes were the source of the project. It seems that the boreholes were never completed as they were not connected to power. Since the boreholes are long overdue, we will inspect them and connect and equip them properly," Ralushai said.
