Illegal water connections in the Nzhelele area have left many villages around Dzanani dry. Residents have been without running water for quite some time now as a result of these actions.
The problem has affected villages such as Tshikuwi, Ha-Matsa, Tshirolwe, Manyii, Luvhalani, Raliphaswa and many others. In these areas, the water supply had been cut off by people who had illegally connected water to their farms, orchards and households. The result is that water does not reach the reservoirs.
The problem was discovered after Khuvutlu Water Consulting Engineers started investigating the lack of water at certain points. Khuvutlu was contracted by the Vhembe District Municipality to supply water to the various villages.
“We realised that water was not reaching villages in the area, so we investigated. We then discovered that there were illegal connections,” said Khuvutlu’s project manager, Mr Ntshavheni Nefale. He said that the Vhembe District Municipality then gave them a mandate to remove the water pipes that had been illegally connected  to the main line.
The pipes were removed last week. Nefale added that a case against those who had connected water illegally had been opened with the police.
W/O Lazarus Netshidzati of the Mphephu police confirmed that a case of malicious damage to property had been opened with the police. He warned the community against the illegal connection of water in the area. “Police investigations are still continuing and whoever has information in this regard must contact the police,” he said.
Ward 36 councillor of the Makhado Municipality Cllr Mbulaheni Magada said that the community was suffering as a result of illegal connections of water in the area. “As government we are trying by all means possible to provide water, but people are preventing poor people from getting water. Let us try and share the little water we have, so that every resident can have running water for domestic use,” appealed Magada.