Berea, June 29 — Despite the government’s efforts to expand clean water supply in communities, at least two villages in St. Theresa, Bela-Bela are among the places facing a severe shortage of drinking water and thus threatening public health and people’s way of living.

This was confirmed by St. Theresa Electoral Division (ED) Community Councilor Mr. Latane Monkhi during an interview with the Agency on Monday.

Mr. Monkhi highlighted that among the worst affected villages by drinking water scarcity includes Tuke which has an estimated number of 400 households and Ha-Mahlabachana with over 200 households.

He said the ongoing water scarcity emanates from the broken pumping systems and aging infrastructure which date back to 2023, citing that they tried on several times to present the matter to Koeneng Community Council, but lack of funds is badly affecting their plans.

St. Theresa ED Community Councilor stressed that the ongoing situation has forced Tuke community to impose some restrictions whereby such available supply rationed and it is released from the storage tanks to the local pipeline network mainly in the morning and afternoons.

“Tuke used to have two active water sources, but only one is slightly functional and as a result as a result of the growing village, such available water supply no longer meet the high demand”, he explained.

As for Ha-Mahlabachana he pointed out that the water scarcity has reached the crisis level because no water point is active and community members are completely struggling access drinking water.

“The prevailing situation has left community members with no choice, but to buy water from those who have some boreholes at their homes”, he said.

He continued to say the situation is even worse to those coming from vulnerable families as they had to go the wells or the river in order to get some drinking water, adding that might as well exacerbate the spread of diseases and as a result they call for an urgent support to minimize the impact of the matter.

Mr. Monkhi said with drought projected in the future, they are living in fear of where will they access water if the situation still prevails.

Approached for a comment, Ha-Mahlabachana villager Mrs. Mateboho Poopa said they are in dire need of drinking water, highlighting that elderly people are among the worst affected.

Mrs. Poopa expressed with sadness that when they buy water from people who have some boreholes, they are charged M4.00 per 20 liters and it is quite difficult for vulnerable people, adding that when they have social activities like feasts and funerals; they endure a huge pain.

“We do not have any option, but to keep the life going; we resort to rivers and unprotected wells and thus risking our lives, moreover the problem remains with those who do not have donkeys”, she said.

She also indicated that at some point, they risk their lives by illegally sourcing water from other villages at night.
Also interviewed youths, Thato Selialia said water is regarded to be the main source of life, but as for them it has formed part of their lives.

Selialia highlighted that the new emerging issue is poor cellphones reception of which affect their daily lives as well, citing that for them to communicate with relatives and loved ones, it is a must to climb the nearby hill. “Communication is important just like water and without good cellphone reception, we end up missing the important issues that could have changed our lives”, she said.

Meanwhile, Lesotho being the United Nations (UN) member country is among the countries which have committed itself in achieving the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), whereby SDG six simply highlight ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
 

Image by Belabela