The Vhembe District Municipality has set aside R12.8 million to address water problems in the Sinthumule area. The money is part of the R25 million budget allocated to Vhembe by the national government to address the water shortage in the district.

Speaking to the traditional leaders and members of the community during a meeting held at the Sinthumule Tribal Offices in Tshiozwi last Wednesday, the executive mayor of Vhembe, Cllr Tshitereke Matibe, said this big chunk of the budget had been allocated to their area (Sinthumule) because of the seriousness of their problem. He said the money would be used to revive boreholes in the areas, so that the community could get a supply of water as a temporary solution.

The money will also be used to fix vandalized pipes that used to supply water to the community.  “Where there is a need, we will drill new boreholes to make sure that our people get water,” said Matibe. He said for each borehole a budget of R50 000 had been allocated.

Matibe said that the department would provide R205 million for the provision of pipes from Valdezia to Mooikop. This budget, together with another R281 million from the district municipality’s budget, will help to address the water shortage in Kutama-Sinthumule in 18 months’ time. He added, however, that the project needed a total budget of R586 million to be completed.