The Makhado Municipality this week assured residents that the water supply is back to normal.

In a media release received on August 14, the municipality states that water supply in the town and Tshikota areas have returned back to normal.

“We can report that the twelve bore holes are back to normal. We have added two more bore holes in the Tshikota Area, but as yet it has not been drilled. We also added one bore hole in Extention 9, also not yet drilled,” states the media release.

“We just hope and pray that it will stay this way,” Ms Ria Oosthuizen from Joubert Street said this week. For the first time in weeks they could use their shower. Their area in old town had been particularly hard hit with the erratic water supply. Mr Gert Oosthuizen had to engage in the expensive exercise of buying and storing water. But he is not yet throwing his stored water away, since he has had too many bad experiences with the water.

“We will have to see,” he says.

He said that he was aggravated by the nonsensical answers he got when he complained telephonically to the municipality. Last week he took up the pen and addressed a strongly worded letter to the Mayor and forwarded a copy to the Minister of Provincial and Local Government, Mr Sydney Mufamadi. The letters were dated August 8.

The poor or nonexistent communication between the municipality and residents was referred to.

“Most aggravating is the fact that the interruptions occur without warning and no indication can ever be provided as to when supplies would resume,” the letter stated.

The complaint not only referred to water supply but to other services as well.

“The clear signs of impatience by ratepayers with the incompetence of your regime have apparently also escaped your attention and so has the threats of drastic action. This does not only apply to water but also the provision of other services. The situation is critical and as all confidence has been lost the matter is being referred to the Minister of Provincial and Local Government with the request of early intervention.”

Mr Oosthhuizen checks his mailbox twice a week to see if any response from the Minister’s office is forthcoming.

The municipality’s Public Relation Officer, Mr Peter Muleya, officially responded to the taxpayer’s letter with a reference to proper procedure.

“We find it quite surprising that before the Mayor could respond, the matter has been reported to the highest level. We therefore advise that proper procedure be followed.” Muleya also indicated that the municipal offices are still ready to co-operate with all residents in relation to all service delivery issues.