Last Friday, Vhembe District Municipality mayor Cllr Miyelani Chauke announced that R770 million will be spent on capital projects in the next financial year, but opposition parties remain sceptical that residents will see improved water supply.
Delivering the municipality’s State of the District Address at Worship House in Shayandima on Friday, 5 June, Chauke outlined a programme focused on improving water and sanitation services, including infrastructure upgrades to strengthen bulk water supply and address long-standing challenges.
Despite the announcement, opposition parties and residents say they remain unconvinced that the funding will translate into water flowing from household taps.
Khakhathi Tshisikule of the International Revelation Congress (IRC) said the commitments were unlikely to improve service delivery.
“Our dams are full but still no drop is coming out of the taps. The problem is not the finance, but factions in the ruling party. While they continue to fight, there shall not be water,” he said.
He also accused municipal leaders of focusing on publicity rather than solutions.
“The executive mayor is all over busy grandstanding as an electioneering ploy in front of cameras opening taps that have been dry for years. Does this mean the previous mayor locked the water from the people? This whole thing is a scam,” he said.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader in Vhembe, Fhatuwani Begwa, said residents have heard similar promises before.
“Year in and year out, huge amounts are budgeted for water projects, but nothing in terms of service delivery is happening. People are still contesting for water with animals while many communities remain without reliable access to clean water,” said Begwa.
He added that some elderly residents are forced to buy water at high prices while municipal equipment is allegedly not being used effectively.
“The municipality bought two water drilling trucks at millions, but they are not being utilised. Instead, they are outsourcing drilling services at astronomical prices,” he said.
Residents say they are less concerned about political disputes and more focused on delivery.
Mashudu Mudau of Tshituni said communities have heard repeated promises while conditions remain unchanged.
“We have heard many announcements before, but our situation remains the same. Water is life, and people should not have to buy it when millions and billions are being budgeted every year. We want to see projects being completed and water coming out of our taps consistently,” he said.
Mudau added that the real test would be whether households eventually receive reliable water supply.