Mayor Papiyana’s Home Village Faces Months-Long Water Supply Crisis

Residents of Mkhonjane village which is part of Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality executive mayor Madoda Papiyana’s home village of Bholotwa has been without water since March 2025.

Told not to touch the generator as they might face the law

The ward 1 residents claim that when they tried to fix the generator for the water pumps, they were told not to touch the generator as they might face the law. According to the residents, two water pumps supplying their homes stopped working in March and residents were forced to drink with animals in the river.

Residents Khayelihle Maxongo said we have been without water since March 2025.

“We told them that we are raising money to assist if the problem is funds and they are telling us not to touch that generator or we will face the might of the law,” he said.

They are prepared to even assist with money in order to resolve this problem

The village is united and wants water, they are prepared to even assist with money in order to resolve this problem but the municipality is not responding. He said residents pay R100 to buy water from someone who carts water from the river using his donkeys.

Village headman Khawulele Sonamzi confirmed the problem and said if nothing is done to resolve the problem, they will be forced to boycott the upcoming local government elections. “We are forced to use dirty water from the river,” he said.

Area is supplied by three boreholes

Chris Hani District Municipality spokeswoman Thobeka Mqamelo said Mkhonjane area is supplied by three boreholes(Qineni, Nkalweni & Sigxeni) and therefore water is pumped to the regional scheme called Mkhonjane water scheme.

“Nkalweni has a faulty generator which is currently under repairs. Sigxeni was vandalised & a generator was stolen. Only one borehole (Qineni) is functional at the present moment, resulting in severe water shortage in the area,” she said.

Generator is down due to mechanical failure

Mqamelo said the Nkalweni generator that is down due to mechanical failure is currently undergoing repairs.

“Water carting is being undertaken though this service is always unsatisfactory as there are many areas that must be provided in this manner. “Theft and vandalism causes instability in water and sanitation service provision due to the alarming rate of such acts across the district,” she said.

On Tuesday, Mqamelo said they are carting, “today one truck is there, on Saturday (22nd) two trucks delivered water as well.” “This is confirmation that intervention is in place as indicated,” said Mqamelo.