In an effort to “Refine and define the maintenance of momentum despite adversity as a critical success factor in restoring the dignity of the South African Army to its rightful glory” (South African Army theme 2023). The South African Army Engineers who are currently detached in the 14 South African Infantry Battalion, Force Intervention Brigade, in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, in preparation for Operation MISTRAL, under the command of Captain S.R. Habede and Captain S. Xweso, assisted the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality with a water cut problem that they have been experiencing for quite some time now.
It was found that the water cut problem resulted from eroded water pipes and the water cut experience affected the following areas; Mthatha Airport, 14 South African Infantry Battalion, and 3 villages namely; the Ncise village, the Kaplan village as well as the KwaDlomo village. In this specific instance, the water cut was experienced from 16 April 2023 to 21 April 2023, with no hope of it being sorted out soon.
It was found that the water cut resulted from a broken pipe, which is a common problem with communities around the country especially looking at the growing population which results in the increased amount of water usage. In order to assist the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality to sort the problem out as swiftly and as quickly as possible, Captain S. R. Hadebe and Captain S. Xweso saw it necessary to mobilise a team of 7 Sappers (South African Army Engineers) who took approximately four (4) hours to sort the matter at hand out.
The Sappers who assisted all appeared before the 14 South African Infantry Battalion, Force Intervention Brigade Second in Command Major M. R. Tsetsewa, who then commended them for the good job they have done, for using their time and skills to sort an issue that was out of their scope of work.
Information by Captain K. Setsiba and Photographs by Captain S.R. Hadebe || SA Army Engineer Formation.
