Thabazimbi residents hope casting vote in by-election will help solve water problems

THABAZIMBI - Parts of Thabazimbi in Limpopo are experiencing water shortages as residents cast their votes in Wednesday’s by-election.
 
Some voters said their taps went dry on Tuesday without warning from the municipality. 
 
A by-election took place on Wednesday, following the dissolution of its council due to political infighting in August.
 
As a result, there has been no active elected government in over three months in the municipality.

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• Thabazimbi by-elections: Some voters frustrated over municipality’s ongoing political instability
• Thabazimbi residents have until 9pm to cast their votes

On Wednesday, Philemon Mainetja awoke early to prepare to cast his ballot at his local voting station.
 
He had hoped the water would be restored, but to his surprise, his taps had remained dry since the previous [Tuesday] evening.
 
Mainetja used the little water he had to wash his face before heading to the voting station, hoping his vote would help end Thabazimbi’s water supply challenges.
 
“When there is no water in Thabazimbi, there is nowhere to report it. Even if you go to the municipal offices, no one will assist you. Sometimes they are even rude to us.”
 
With results for Wednesday’s by-election set to be announced on Thursday, many are hopeful the new government will quickly pick up the pieces.