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The DA in Tzaneen laid a compliant with the Public Protector against the Greater Tzaneen Municipality for negligence to secure water outlets and failure to provide water to communities.

Ongoing water shortages exacerbated by loadshedding has increased theft of water by syndicates.

Theft occurs in broad daylight from water hydrants in residential areas and the stolen water is transported in Jojo tanks on trucks.

The DA receives multiple complaints from residents daily who are also intimidated by the syndicates.

We started our own investigations and encouraged residents to report all suspicious activities and reported our findings to the municipality.

When it became apparent in May 2022 that the municipality was not going to act, we opened 2 criminal cases of water theft to date; CAS 195/5/2022 in Letsitele and more recently CAS 376/02/2023 in Tzaneen.

The municipality’s refusal to act  raised serious concerns and it became evident that there is no detailed plan in place or the political will to combat crime.

Instead the municipality’s negligence created an ideal environment for corruption and criminal acts to take place.

We further requested residents to donate locks for the fire hydrants to curtail further theft.

On 3 March 2023 a water tanker engagement session was called by the municipality where it was admitted that the water crisis was out of control. Police assistance was requested and 2 water trucks have since been impounded.

The DA is committed to work with communities to solve the water crisis and will not be deterred by intimidation.

Issued by Councillor Rene Pohl - DA Caucus Leader: Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality