In an interview with OFM News, the owner of Caltex Garage in Tweespruit, Frans Kalp, says the residents have suffered for many years because of the ongoing water crisis. 

As of late, the state of the water crisis has escalated to a point of no return, says Kalp. He explains that the Mantsopa Local Municipality occasionally provides the community with a water tanker to refill tanks at houses. Kalp says they haven't had water since Monday, despite promises made of water being provided to residents during the week. Kalp further adds that despite a new contractor being appointed by the municipality, no new developments have been made. 

OFM News is awaiting a response from the Mantsopa Local Municipality.

“We are fed up. They have a story every time and they fail to do daily drives and check for leaks in the pipeline. Our guys need to drive and report back about leaks in the pipelines. It’s as if they do not care,” Kalp says.

He says Tweespruit is not the only town that is dependent on the water tanker, but Hobhouse and Excelsior also make use of the tanker. Kalp says “false promises of the arrival of the tanker at Tweespruit have been made. Contrary to this, the tanker has yet to arrive”. 

According to angered community members, the water crisis has negatively affected their daily livelihoods as the unavailability of necessities, such as water for taking a bath, have limited residents.

OFM News/Blaine Jones and Lee Simmons