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GRAAFF-REINET NEWS & VIDEOS - "We felt helpless because we didn't know if the man was armed, and we had nothing to defend ourselves with."

These are the words of Gift of the Givers' drilling expert Petrus Mofokeng, who, together with colleagues Lefa Amos and Simeon Mokoena, witnessed a suspect make off with tools from their drilling site at Spandau Secondary School on Tuesday evening.

The men were asleep in a caravan on-site when they heard a noise outside. The men are part of the humanitarian relief organisation, which arrived in town on Tuesday morning to assist the drought-ravaged community.

Their arrival at Angel Park, geared with two water tankers, three drilling machines and two more trucks with 73 800 five-litre water containers, was met with loud cheers from community members.

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After chief hydrologist Dr Gideon Groenewald addressed the crowd, the water tankers delivered water to the neediest areas of town, while Groenewald and the borehole experts drove to Spandau Secondary to down the first borehole.

Ali Sablay, Gift of the Givers' project manager, told the Advertiser shortly after 7am on Wednesday that the tools stolen included batteries, drilling tools and drilling spanners, as well as diesel and other essential tools.

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Although the team was able to continue their work shortly after, thanks to new, temporary and spare equipment, Sablay said that the theft had an impact on their schedule, and affected the project's cost.

No water donations were stolen, as this is stored at a different location.

Samantha Graham-Maré, Member of Parliament, listening to Groenewald's explanation speech.

Gift of the Givers' arrival in town comes during a worrisome time for residents, as water supply continues to be erratic and the Nqweba Dam has run dry.

Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu stated on Tuesday that there are 30 boreholes in Graaff-Reinet. "Twenty-eight are operational and two are receiving attention due to vandalism and pump failure," the minister said.

People get their 5L containers filled with water in Kroonvale.

Sisulu added that the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality is currently drilling boreholes "with four already in operation." The municipality failed to respond in time for print about where these boreholes are.

Although aware of the seriousness of the drought in the area, Groenewald is positive and stated that Gift of the Givers won't leave until they fulfil their task of finding water. According to founder of Gift of the Givers Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, the organization depends on donations. 

"We are not looking for money. We are looking for water," Groenewald said.

The trucks carrying tools will be moved to an undisclosed location following the theft. According to Capt Bradley Rawlinson of the Graaff-Reinet SAPS, no case had been opened by Wednesday afternoon.

Drilling for water at Spandau Secondary School.