Water Row Ends in Murder Arrest

A 71-year-old man has been arrested for murder after a violent dispute over access to water in Sundra near Delmas on Sunday, 8 February 2026.

Police say the incident occurred at around 5pm at a shared residence in Eloff, where the suspect and the 33-year-old victim were living on the same property. Due to ongoing water shortages in the area, the landlord had installed a JoJo tank in a garage to supply water when municipal services were unavailable. The tank was located on the suspect’s side of the premises.

According to reports, the victim attempted to access the garage to switch on the pressure pump in order to get water. The suspect allegedly refused him entry, and a confrontation followed. During the altercation, the suspect is accused of shooting the victim, who later died from his injuries.

The victim’s wife was reportedly threatened when she tried to reach her husband, forcing her to flee for safety. Tensions escalated as more than 100 community members gathered at the scene, with some allegedly threatening violence against the suspect and damage to the property. Police intervened, and the suspect was arrested immediately.

The man is expected to appear before the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, on a charge of murder.