12-Year Water Crisis in Lekwa Municipality: Residents Left Without Clean Water

Residents of Lekwa Municipality in Mpumalanga have faced a severe water crisis for more than 12 years. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has now filed a formal complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), citing the municipality’s failure to provide residents with a basic human right—clean water.

A Decade of Dry Taps

Despite having water infrastructure, including pipes and taps, certain areas in Lekwa—such as Palama, Extension 2, KaMqhewane, Mapheshini, Extension 8, and Rooikoppen—have gone more than a decade without a consistent water supply. The crisis has disrupted daily life, affected healthcare services, and left residents dependent on unreliable water tankers.

In its annual report, the municipality admitted that a lack of funding, skilled personnel, and infrastructure maintenance are to blame. Many of the pipelines date back to the 1970s and have deteriorated over time. The municipality estimates that fixing the issue will require R1.5 billion in upgrades.

Health and Safety Risks

The water crisis poses serious health risks. Residents report that when water does flow, it is often brown and murky. “It looks like water straight from the river,” one resident told The Citizen.

Municipal spokesperson Lubabalo Majenge has assured residents that the water is safe but should be boiled before use. However, concerns remain about the long-term health effects of consuming water from outdated infrastructure.

Municipal Response and Delays

In an attempt to address the crisis, the municipality, in collaboration with the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Gert Sibande District Municipality, initiated a refurbishment project for the Standerton water treatment plant in late 2023. However, officials have not provided a clear timeline for completion.

The DA has called the progress “unacceptably slow” and demanded urgent government intervention. “This crisis has left a community denied their basic human right to water,” the party said in a statement on March 20, 2025.

Complaint to the SAHRC

In response to the ongoing crisis, the DA has filed a complaint with the SAHRC, arguing that the municipality has violated residents’ constitutional right to water. The party has also raised the issue in Parliament, urging Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo to take immediate action.

However, the DA claims that Mahlobo has not provided any response or solution to the crisis.

What Happens Next?

With increasing pressure from opposition parties, human rights groups, and affected residents, the SAHRC is expected to investigate the complaint. Meanwhile, the people of Lekwa continue to endure unreliable water supply, long queues for municipal water tankers, and uncertainty about when the crisis will end.

The municipality has yet to provide an update on when residents can expect a permanent solution to their 12-year struggle for clean water.

{Source BusinessTech}

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