It’s been 16 years and the community of Hammanskraal still gets smelly water that has a foul smell and appears unfit for human consumption. This is despite the election campaign period where political parties would do anything for communities to get their votes.
Even though the municipality delivered water tanks, some community members couldn’t access the water since there were a lot of people who needed water and the truck only stopped at specific locations.
Members of the community are forced to buy purified water since the water they have is not healthy for drinking.
Ms Zenzile Zungu (67) who has been suffering from chronic stomach cramps said she has made peace with the fact that she is one foot in the grave due to the contaminated water.
“All my sons are unemployed and my family depends on my old-age grant for survival so we can’t really afford to buy water,” said Ms Zungu.
A 2019 report by the South African Human Rights Commission has found that water in Hammanskraal is not suitable for human consumption.
The media director of the City of Tshwane, Mr Lindela Mashigo, said the City is aware of the problem and is working hard to bring solutions.
“The water situation in Hammanskraal is an old problem related to the technical overloading and problems at Rooiwal wastewater treatment works, water tankers are distributed per ward and operate daily to supply water to affected wards,” he said.
