Sol Plaatje Municipality under fire after JoJo tank collapses on resident

A RITCHIE family is considering legal action against Sol Plaatje Municipality after a resident sustained life-threatening injuries when a 2 500-litre JoJo tank collapsed on top of him in Motswedimosa, Ritchie, this week.

Sabata Winston Katsio, 42, said he was in the process of filling water containers when the incident occurred on February 3.

He indicated that the JoJo landed on his back, resulting in injuries to his back, ribs and hip.

His sister, Florence Mogorame, said that due to operating theatre backlogs, Katsio may have to wait at least a month before surgery can be performed.

“We are thankful that he is still alive, although he is in a lot of pain. His rib cage punctured his lungs and he suffered internal injuries. He is also unable to urinate. We requested the municipality to fund his medical costs so that he can receive prompt treatment at a private hospital,” said Mogorame.

“He cannot stand or walk and I am worried that his condition may deteriorate the longer surgery is delayed. One of the doctors also told us that his condition may not improve, and I fear he could be left with a permanent disability.”

Mogorame believes the municipality is ultimately responsible for ensuring that contractors properly secure community JoJo tanks.

“My brother’s injury comes at the worst possible time. He works as an electrician and always volunteers his assistance to the community. If he can no longer work, it will be a financial catastrophe and will also cause psychological trauma. He also helps me with transport and taking my children and other family members around,” she said.

She added that the JoJo tank involved in the incident is currently being stored in a yard.

“The area has taps, but there is no water flow, and since the JoJo tank was removed, there is now no water for the community.”

Northern Cape SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Merapelo Pilane said no criminal case has yet been opened.

Life-threatening injuries

Democratic Alliance (DA) caucus chairperson Elize Niemann said Sol Plaatje Municipality should take full accountability for the incident that left Katsio fighting for his life in hospital.

“Katsio, who is the DA deputy branch chairperson in Ward 26, risked his life to save three small children after he spotted them playing beneath a JoJo tank in Motswedimosa. The tank was mounted on an unstable frame and placed on slippery, wet grass. While the children escaped unharmed, the 2 500-litre tank collapsed on top of Katsio,” Niemann said.

She added that Katsio sustained a broken back and hip, a fractured neck, and severe internal injuries, and is currently being treated at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberley.

“He is currently fighting for his life in the hospital.” 

Niemann said large parts of the greater Ritchie area have been without running water since Sedibeng Water undertook pipe work in 2018.

“The specific area where Katsio lives has had no water since contractors worked on the pipes in 2025, forcing residents to rely on JoJo tanks for water,” she said.

Niemann further indicated that several water tanks in the Mothlaku zone are standing on unstable frames.

“Two other tanks were found with broken taps, rendering them unusable. The tanks are also not filled on a regular basis,” she said.

Sol Plaatje Municipality had not responded to media enquiries at the time of publication.

Municipality responds

Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thabo Mothibi said the city engineer has been at Katsio’s bedside since the incident.

“In an act of human compassion, he has been transporting Katsio’s sister to and from Ritchie and Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital,” said Mothibi.

“The incident is highly regretted. We have not yet arrived at a decision regarding who will be responsible for the medical costs, but out of care and human compassion we are staying in contact with the family.”

Mothibi indicated that vandalism and tampering are common occurrences, with taps or entire JoJo tanks sometimes stolen and resold.

“We are undertaking a safety assessment of all placed JoJo tanks. It is unfortunate that this incident occurred while we are busy with the overhaul of the bulk water supply infrastructure in Ritchie through the Budget Facility for Infrastructure – a R2.5 billion grant allocation for repairs and refurbishment,” he said.