27 Aug 2015

The saying that; one man’s loss is another man’s gain has proven true in Mmopane where some people have taken advantage of water scarcity and make a living out of it.

Although one of the residents, Mr William Kobe says he is only extending a helping hand to provide water to desperate people, it is a blessing in disguise to him and others because they are at the same time profiting out of the situation. He charges P5 per 25 litres of water.

“Look, I am also human. I also feel the pain this people are going through. I know that it is not easy to believe me because I am here making money. To me, this is not an opportunity to make money. But if there is anything I can do to help, I don’t see any reason not to,” he said.

In an interview, the residents said at first they thought the situation was just temporary, but prolonged into weeks. “Water is life because where there is no water, there is no life. We are suffering and something needs to be done. For how long are we going to remain without water,” wondered Mr Ketumile Mosinki.

He said water in Mmopane normally flows for a day or two and then disappears for weeks. He stated that currently residents have resorted to buying water and that one needs to have money to buy water from the truck men who normally come to the village to sell in 25litre containers.

Mmopane Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Kagiso Dintwe blames Water utilities Corporation for what the villagers are going through. “These people don’t care about us. We have long talked to all relevant authorities about our situation and we are always told that the dams are dry,” he said.

The area councillor, Mr James Lekgetho said WUC has since started bowsing water to the village though it is not enough. For his part Mmopane headman, Mr Moarabi Manthe said some residents have started using a borehole in the village even though the water is not purified and tested to see if it is safe to drink.

WUC Communications Manager, Ms Mattiida Mmipi has told BOPA that the corporation guarantees tap water as the only clean potable water for drinking.“It is not advisable to drink water with uncertained quality. I am talking of tested and treated potable water safe for drinking,” she said. 

Ms Mmipi further noted that due to water shortage, WUC has given members of the public liberty to buy affordable raw water for other usages such as building, watering gardens and washing vehicles among other things. Ends