The Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) met its first deadline as required by AfriForum's High Court order.

The court order enforces certain measurable steps signalling a beginning, albeit small, in the mammoth task of restoring the water supply to Makhado (Louis Trichardt) and surrounds.

VDM's first deadline was 12 October, when they had to come up with an implementation plan for the clearing of vegetation along the route of the pipeline between the Albasini water works and the Mowkop reservoir. Leaks will be detected more easily if the pipeline is cleared and inspected on a daily basis.

“We are pleased with their willingness to comply,” AfriForum chairperson Mr Wally Schultz said this week. Schultz, accompanied by Messrs Herman Smith and Lampie Schoeman, drove to Thohoyandou on 10 October to meet with Vhembe officials. “Following our initial disappointment that they had not yet read the court order, they corrected that and their subsequent response was such that they have taken all our calls,” Schultz said.

AfriForum proposed some modifications to the implementation plan to speed up the process of clearing the vegetation along the Albasini line. "We would like to see the clearing after each phase, not with the purpose of 'inspecting' but to encourage and congratulate them on each completed phase," AfriForum's vice-chairperson, Mr Herman Smith, said.

The court order states that the sixth borehole, in addition to the five newly drilled boreholes, has to be redrilled, due to its caving in. A drilling machine was spotted in the area near Rivier Street. 

The test results regarding the feasibility and quality of the five boreholes must be ready this week on 17 October. The designs of the infrastructure and pumps to link the first five boreholes to the reticulation network have to be submitted by 31 October. 

In the meantime, the water situation worsens daily.  “I have had water for only one day in October so far,” said Ms Anne-marie Kuhne, who is the first applicant in the high court order, with AfriForum as the second applicant.

AfriForum urged the VDM to maintain effective, accurate communication. On Sunday, 14 October, it was communicated that the water should be back by 14:00, which did not happen, arousing the anger of residents.

On 4 October, VDM spokesperson Mr Matodzi Ralushai was requested to comment in writing on their views and plans with regard to the court order, but no comment has been received to date.