The effectiveness of Vhembe District Municipality in the provision of potable water services at Thohoyandou

Abstract

The study focuses on the effectiveness of Vhembe District Municipality in the provision of potable water services at Thohoyandou. Access to potable water is a fundamental human right and an essential public service, central to health and socio-economic development, as highlighted in recent studies on water justice and governance in developing contexts. Despite the constitutional and policy commitments to equitable service delivery in South Africa, many communities continue to experience water shortages, infrastructure failures, and irregularities. The System Theory was adopted in the study as it provides a holistic framework for understanding and managing the entire water supply chain as a complex, interconnected system. This study is grounded in the interpretivist paradigm. The study also employs an exploratory research design and a case study design. Exploratory design provides flexibility in using document analysis and thematic analysis. The study adopts the case study research design to critically assess the effectiveness of the Vhembe District Municipality in delivering potable water services at Thohoyandou. The study also adopts a qualitative research method. Qualitative research was employed to generate new insights during data collection. A desktop study was used as data was collected from reliable sources. The purposive sampling method was employed to select documents relevant to this study. The secondary document was used to interpret data. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis to examine secondary data collected through a document review. Research ethics were followed when conducting the research study. The study found that the effectiveness of potable water services provision is constrained by a range of operational factors. The study found that the nature of potable water services in Thohoyandou is characterised by intermittent supply, variable service levels and infrastructural disparities. The study found that challenges such as institutional capacity constraints emerged as a critical issue. Shortage of skilled personnel, ageing infrastructure, frequent pipe bursts, leakage, equipment failure, financial constraints, environmental factors and non-revenue losses. The study found that potable water provision for social and economic well-being, such as access to safe water, is essential. An unreliable water supply contributes to the spread of waterborne diseases. Reliable water provision enhances effective strategies. The study recommends strengthening institutional capacity by recruiting skilled personnel, manage systems and accountability mechanisms, and enhancing operational efficiency and services. The municipality must prioritise upgrading and expansion of water infrastructure and wastewater reuse management to reduce reliance. There must be contingency planning that addresses interruptions. The institution must address funding and resource constraints. Financial management must be strengthened, and non-revenue water must be reduced. The Vhembe District should integrate water service delivery priorities into broader economic development and should give special attention to vulnerable households and institutions to ensure uninterrupted access to potable water.