Ald. Cilliers Brink DA Tshwane Mayoral Candidate in Hammanskraal photos supplied
By Ald. Cilliers Brink
DA Tshwane Mayoral Candidate
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to Hammanskraal and the opening of two boreholes in Kenana Gardens have done nothing to resolve the fundamental water crisis facing residents.
Yesterday I visited residents in Kenana Gardens, where households continue to endure an unreliable water supply despite the political fanfare surrounding the new boreholes.
The question residents are asking is simple: When will they have reliable, clean water flowing from their taps?
Two boreholes cannot be presented as a solution to a crisis that requires functioning bulk water infrastructure and a reliable reticulation network.
The City of Tshwane must complete the work at the Klipdrift Package Plant.
This project formed part of the comprehensive intervention initiated under the DA-led coalition in 2023 to end Hammanskraal’s dependence on water tankers and provide residents with a sustainable water supply.
Since Nasiphi Moya became mayor, the project has fallen behind schedule.
The mayor has already cut the ribbon on Phase 1, yet residents continue to experience lengthy periods without water.
When the water does return, many residents remain uncertain about whether they can trust its quality.
This is the reality behind the ribbon-cuttings.
While politicians celebrate projects, residents are still forced to buy water from private tankers with their own money.
They are effectively paying twice for a basic municipal service they should already be receiving.
There is a further concern in Kenana Gardens that cannot be ignored.
Parts of the community surrounding the new boreholes do not appear to have formal sewer reticulation.
Chemical toilets are being used, and there may also be pit toilets in the area.
This raises serious questions about sanitation and the protection of groundwater sources.
The City must explain what safeguards are in place to ensure that the new boreholes are not exposed to contamination.
We call on Mayor Nasiphi Moya and the City of Tshwane to provide Hammanskraal residents with urgent and transparent answers:
•What is the current status of the Klipdrift Package Plant?
•Why has the project fallen behind schedule?
•What is the revised timeline for completing all the remaining phases?
•When will Hammanskraal households have a reliable supply of clean water through their taps?
•What measures are being taken to protect the boreholes from potential groundwater contamination?
•How much longer will residents be expected to rely on water tankers?
Hammanskraal does not need another political spectacle.
It needs functioning infrastructure, clean water and a municipality that actually delivers.
Our position has remained consistent: the answer to Hammanskraal’s water crisis is not permanent dependence on tankers, temporary interventions or political photo opportunities.
It is to complete the infrastructure required to provide every household with a reliable water supply.
Hammanskraal needs metsi dipompong, not metsi dikanteng.
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