SITEKI – Public Sector Unions (PSUs) marched to the Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC) offices yesterday, following a consultative salary review meeting held at the Siteki Town Council Hall.

The PSUs, joined by some angry residents, converged at the EWSC Siteki Regional Offices to decry persistent water shortages plaguing several areas around Siteki. Residents seized the opportunity to voice their grievances, saying they were paying exorbitant water bill charges despite suffering intermittent or non-existent water supply for over a month.

The PSUs and residents were led by Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Secretary General (SG), Lot Vilakati, accompanied by Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) President Nokuthula Dlamini and Swaziland National Association of Government Accounting Personnel (SNAGAP) Deputy President Sipho Mhlanga.

Upon arriving at the EWSC Siteki Regional Offices, Vilakati, Dlamini and Mhlanga entered the offices and met with Vuyani Mazibuko, the Non-Revenue Water Technician.

The leaders explained to Mazibuko that they had accompanied Siteki residents to convey grievances concerning widespread water shortages. They also noted residents’ outrage over high water bill charges despite the lack of supply.

Mazibuko attempted to explain to the PSU leaders that the relevant structures to address the issue were currently unavailable, attending a meeting in Ezulwini on how the corporation could swiftly address the problem in the affected Lubombo Region areas.

As a result, the PSU leaders informed Mazibuko that he was not the appropriate person to be addressed, as the affected residents were outside awaiting answers.

The PSU leaders and Mazibuko then stepped outside, where Mazibuko addressed the aggrieved residents following remarks by their representative, NAPSAWU Secretary General Zwelethu Mkhabela. Residents questioned why water is readily available within the central business district (CBD) while areas on the outskirts lacked supply. They also observed that EWSC quickly deploys water tanks to CBD outskirts during shortages, but not to areas further from the centre. “If this continues, you will see a lot more of us here. Sooner than you expect,” warned Mkhabela. He added that the corporation’s recent conduct raises significant questions. “Most of us here do not have water in our areas, yet even the water bill charges remain high. Why is that? Your corporation now has a ‘facata’ (deceptive) kind of tendency; we’re being indirectly robbed and we demand that this issue be addressed as well,” Mkhabela stated emphatically.

SNAT SG responded to Mazibuko’s statement by issuing a stern warning: If water is not restored by close of business today, EWSC staff should not bother coming to work tomorrow, Thursday, July 3, 2025.  Vilakati and the residents lamented the dire effects these water shortages have on essential public services, including schools, hospitals, clinics and even public toilets around town.

 “Why do residents have to pay the basic charge for water that is not even there? Kubafacatisa Loko!” Vilakati passionately asked Mazibuko. The confrontation concluded with a united front, displayed by residents and PSUs, emphasising their grievances over the water shortage and high water bill charges. Subsequently, EWSC issued a statement where they said it has been experiencing ongoing water supply challenges affecting parts of the Lubombo Region. “Throughout this period, the corporation has remained committed to transparency, consistently updating our valued customers through public notices and other communication platforms. The disruptions are primarily the result of aging infrastructure and increasing pressure on the existing water network, driven by the region’s rapid population and economic growth. These challenges have significantly affected our ability to provide a stable and reliable water supply across the impacted communities,” reads the statement in part.

New infrastructure coming

SITEKI – The EWSC says it has developed and begun implementing a comprehensive upgrade plan focused on replacing and rehabilitating critical infrastructure, particularly the pumping main from Simunye to Lonhlupheko.

They said two major pipeline sections have already reached the commissioning stage: Simunye Booster Station to MR3 Junction and Lonhlupheko to Lukhula pipeline.

The statement reported that the next phase of works, scheduled to commence in September 2025 and conclude by May 2026, will involve the upgrade of two additional sections:Simunye Water Treatment Plant to Simunye Booster Station and Hlane Game Reserve Junction to Lonhlupheko. The entity stated that procurement of a contractor to carry out this phase is currently in progress. “These infrastructure upgrades are essential for restoring service reliability and meeting current and future demand in the region.”

We acknowledge that during the implementation of these works, some service disruptions may be experienced. We sincerely regret the inconvenience and assure our valued customers that every effort is being made to complete the upgrades safely, efficiently, and within the shortest timeframe possible,” reads the statement in part.