Xhugxwala village residents yesterday blockaded the N2 outside Mthatha in frustration to attract the attention of OR Tambo district municipality.
About 200 villagers burnt tyres and blocked the road with rocks.
Police had to be called in to remove the protesters.
Residents alleged that taps were installed in the village two years ago, but it still has no running water.
Their anger erupted after they allegedly tried to get their councillor to solve their water problems.
Nothando Mphothongo said the contractor who had installed water infrastructure in the village left without making sure that it functioned.
“We share water with livestock. We use water from the dam and from a spring were some people throw nappies. We have no other source of water. We have been trying to get our councillor to solve this but she does not even come here to hear us out,” said Mphothongo.
Angry Sinothando Myendeki said the villagers were chased away if they tried to fetch water from taps at neighbouring villages.
Ward councillor Thobeka Mtirara disputed claims that there had been no running water for two years.
“I don’t know how long … but it is not two years. There was a problem with the engine that pumps water … It needs to be fixed,” said Mtirara.
She said she had arranged for water tanks to be delivered yesterday afternoon. — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
No running water for two years, villagers claim
About 200 villagers burnt tyres and blocked the road with rocks.
Police had to be called in to remove the protesters.
Residents alleged that taps were installed in the village two years ago, but it still has no running water.
Their anger erupted after they allegedly tried to get their councillor to solve their water problems.
Nothando Mphothongo said the contractor who had installed water infrastructure in the village left without making sure that it functioned.
“We share water with livestock. We use water from the dam and from a spring were some people throw nappies. We have no other source of water. We have been trying to get our councillor to solve this but she does not even come here to hear us out,” said Mphothongo.
Angry Sinothando Myendeki said the villagers were chased away if they tried to fetch water from taps at neighbouring villages.
Ward councillor Thobeka Mtirara disputed claims that there had been no running water for two years.
“I don’t know how long … but it is not two years. There was a problem with the engine that pumps water … It needs to be fixed,” said Mtirara.
She said she had arranged for water tanks to be delivered yesterday afternoon. — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
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