No answers to Ramotswa underground water problems
Residents of Ramotswa were left bitterly disappointed last week when the government said it had no answers regarding the flooding of their homes.
The water seeping from underground is causing havoc in the Monganakodu ward. Homes are water-logged and houses have cracked. On worse days residents have no access to their homes.
The source of the water is not known and the village is divided in opinion. Some are convinced that underground Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) pipes have busted and remain undetected while others say it is natural causes.
At a Kgotla meeting held at Taung, the Chairperson of Malete Land Board, Onnetse Malope said the village leadership was still investigating.
“We have seen how bad the situation is. We have been conducting meetings and have engaged experts to help us. Our task team is still trying to find a solution. We are here to get ideas from you as the most affected in an effort to map a way forward.
“We do not want to be the ones dealing with the matter alone. We also want to incorporate your ideas. We can win if we move together on the matter,” Malope said.
In response, one of the residents, Thomas Morweng said the seepage has been happening from as far back as 2012 and it is shocking that 10 years later authorities still have no answers.
“We once gathered here and talked extensively about the issue. At the time, residents were asking if they should continue with developments in Monganakodu. What is happening now is the end result of what was ignored years back, not the beginning of the matter,” Morweng said. He complained that they are tired of maintenance works that don’t seem to fix anything.
Another resident Gabarate Ndinaye Dube boldly voiced her displeasure. “I am very disappointed that our leaders are here and all they are saying is we have nothing, we are here to talk. What are we talking about because on the 18th of May 2022 when a meeting was convened with you about the issue we talked and you promised to get back to us within a short period of time?
“You even delayed coming back to us and when we thought you are probably busy working, you come and say we have not done anything, we are waiting for experts. I am very disappointed, you have really let us down,” she said, adding that what is happening is an indication that some officers are not doing what they are hired to do.
Dube argued that the government had promised to offer temporary relief while trying to find a solution but nothing has been done yet.
“You should tell us today what you will do from here. Tell us what we should do with all the water in our yards. We wear plastics on our feet every morning when we go to work and take our children to school,” she said.
A displeased Dube pointed out that residents no longer trust the government on the matter. They doubt that something is being done to help them, adding that people are suffering because the government had ignored a recommendation to install a proper drainage system when the matter was investigated by experts.
“We are struggling now but we know for a fact that you ignored the recommendations that were made. That is why we are here today. You did not do your job.”
Another frustrated resident Bonnye Tshielo said the situation was very bad. She said the government will one day dig people from underground.
'We are sinking, our houses are cracking, walls are collapsing, the water rises above ground level in large quantities at night while sleeping and this is posing great danger to us,' she said.
District Commissioner Sebokwane Dikgophe said their report showed that about 33 homes were affected at Monganakodu and that it is possible the number has increased.
“We understand your frustration and that your emotions are high. We have engaged experts and we expect a report in two months. We plead for unity and even suggest that the affected have representation during our meetings,” she said.