Border post without water for over a month sparks outrage in Northern Cape

The Vioolsdrif border post, a key gateway between South Africa and Namibia, situated along the Orange River, has been operating without a water supply for over a month. This prolonged failure in basic service delivery has prompted TLU SA Northern Cape, representing organised agriculture in the region, to raise alarm over the dire conditions faced by staff and the broader implications for trade, health, and public service.

Despite the daily operations of customs and border officials at the post, there is no reliable access to water for employees or the surrounding community. This ongoing crisis not only poses a significant health risk but also threatens the effectiveness of one of South Africa’s most important international border points.

“We are talking about an international border post that is a key point for trade and tourism between South Africa and Namibia,” said a concerned source familiar with the situation. “To expect staff to operate for more than four weeks without water is a blatant disregard for basic service obligations. This is not mere negligence; it is a dereliction of duty.”

Vioolsdrif is the main entry to the N7 highway that connects Cape Town to Windhoek, making it critical for cross-border cooperation, freight movement, and tourism. The absence of something as fundamental as running water places an unsustainable burden on an already remote and fragile infrastructure system.

TLU SA Northern Cape has strongly condemned the silence and inaction from the relevant authorities. The organisation highlighted the impact on border staff, who are struggling under inhumane working conditions, and stressed the urgency of restoring the water supply without delay.

“This situation is unacceptable. No employee should be expected to perform their duties without access to basic amenities such as water, and the public deserves transparency and accountability. The time for action is now,” TLU SA Northern Cape stated.

The organisation has made an urgent appeal to the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, and both local and provincial authorities to intervene and resolve the crisis.

As the border post continues to operate under these strained conditions, the lack of a swift and effective response risks further disruptions to trade and tourism while undermining public confidence in basic service delivery in South Africa’s rural areas.