Xonxa Dam Pump Capacity Questioned Amid Shortages

A renewed political spotlight has been placed on the ongoing water challenges affecting residents in Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) confirming that it will escalate the matter to national level.

In a statement issued on 12 February 2026, DA Enoch Mgijima Constituency Leader Chantel King MPL said the party intends raising the issue in Parliament, citing what it describes as failures by the Chris Hani District Municipality to address persistent water supply problems.

The district municipality serves as the water services authority for Enoch Mgijima.

Concerns Over Xonxa Dam Pump Station

According to the statement, concerns centre around the pump station linked to Xonxa Dam.

King said that more than R657.7 million had been spent on the project by 2024, but alleged that only one pump is currently operational and not producing sufficient water to meet demand.

The statement claims that residents in several towns and townships — including Hofmeyr, Tarkastad, Whittlesea, Ezibeleni, Mlungisi and Newrest — continue to experience regular outages.

Impact on Communities

The DA said households, schools, healthcare facilities and businesses are operating under difficult conditions as a result of inconsistent supply.

The party further alleged that water tanker services, intended as temporary relief, are not consistently adhering to delivery schedules in some areas.

In addition, the statement attributes the crisis to what it describes as poor coordination and communication between the district and local municipality leadership structures.

Escalation to National Level

King confirmed that she has written to DA National Spokesperson on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Marina van Zyl, requesting that the matter be addressed in the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on CoGTA.

The statement further claims that approximately R1.65 billion is required to replace water infrastructure in Enoch Mgijima. It alleges that the district municipality has requested financial assistance from Eastern Cape CoGTA and Provincial Treasury to address funding shortfalls, although, according to the DA, details have not been publicly communicated to residents.

Billing Concerns Raised

The DA also raised concerns regarding municipal billing, stating that residents are allegedly facing punitive billing measures despite unreliable water supply. The party argues that stabilising the billing system should be prioritised.

Awaiting Official Response

At the time of publication, no response had yet been received from the Chris Hani District Municipality or Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality regarding the claims made in the statement.

Residents affected by ongoing water challenges are encouraged to submit their experiences, photographs or official correspondence to Komani News via WhatsApp on 079 922 8717.