R486 million spent, but taps remain dry

Tags

---

30-07-2026
Read : 20 times
Limpopo Mirror
Source

Despite a R486 million investment in Phase I, Chavani and Bungeni residents still lack running water. Vhembe District Municipality has now commenced Phase II, aiming to complete the bulk pipeline and water reticulation project.

Chavani Phase II begins as residents await water

Residents of Chavani, Bungeni and surrounding villages are still waiting for running water months after the completion of a R486 million bulk water project. This week, the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) moved ahead with Phase II of the project.

The municipality handed over the Phase II contract on Tuesday, 28 July. The project forms part of the Chavani and Surrounding Villages Bulk Pipeline and Water Reticulation Project.

Executive Mayor Miyelani Chauke said Phase II includes the construction of a bulk pipeline from Bungeni to Chavani, upgrades to the Bungeni Pump Station, the construction and refurbishment of reservoirs, and new water reticulation networks. It will also include household connections in Bungeni Xikhulu and Nwaxinyamani.

The latest phase follows a Limpopo Mirror report published in May that residents were still without running water despite the completion of Phase I, on which R486 million had already been spent.

Residents said they continued to buy water or collect it from alternative sources because the system had not yet been commissioned.

VDM previously said Phase I construction had been completed in November 2025. The municipality said the system was undergoing final testing before water distribution could begin. It attributed the delays to insufficient water for testing and vandalism along parts of the supply line.

During the handover, Chauke urged the appointed contractor to deliver quality work within the agreed timeframe. He also called on community members to protect the infrastructure from vandalism.