As Limpopo continues to experience a heatwave, some residents in Kgapane township outside Tzaneen are struggling to cool down due to water shortages.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned that the heatwave will hit most parts of Limpopo and other provinces until Saturday.

Kgapane residents say they have been experiencing water problems for the past 15 years.

Despite their pleas to the water authority, Mopani District Municipality, residents have been left to endure the scorching temperatures without water.

SAWS has cautioned residents to remain hydrated, keep away from the sun, and wear bright clothes as part of fighting the heatwave. Residents say they often go weeks without bathing due to water challenges.

“We are not bathing, and even our children can’t go to school because we don’t even have water to drink. Water is important, we can’t cook, we can’t do anything,” says one of the residents.

Mopani District Municipality spokesperson Odas Ngobeni says they will implement a pipeline project that will deliver water to the high lying areas. Ngobeni has also cited budgetary constraints as part of the delay in the project.

“We are looking at implementing a project that will include a pipeline, as well as a booster pipeline that will ultimately help us to expand the water supply to cover most affected residents at the high laying areas. The only limitation now is that we don’t not have funding in this financial year, that is why in the immediate we have requested the local municipality to prioritise water tankers that we have assigned to them.”

VIDEO| Residents says the municipality has failed to keep its promise of supplying water.

Meanwhile, South African Weather Service says the ongoing heatwave will persist in the northern areas due to dry weather patterns. They have also cautioned residents to be careful of veld fires.

“Extremely hot and uncomfortable weather conditions can be expected in the Lowveld of Limpopo and well as Mpumalanga and I might not leave out the western bushveld and the valley of Limpopo. We are expecting extreme conditions to persist until Saturday, the 7th of December. The heatwave is as a result of the high-pressure system in the northern east of the country which is resulting in the sinking air which results in hot temperatures as the air sinks,” says Meteorologist Lehlohonolo Thobela.

Limpopo Tomorrow ‘s Weather overview: 05/12/2024 pic.twitter.com/7KABxGfpwi

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) December 4, 2024

Other provinces hit by the heatwave include Mpumalanga, Gauteng, North West, and KwaZulu-Natal. Meanwhile, several areas in the province are facing serious water shortages.