/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The community of Phomolong in Namahadi, Mafube have been without water intermittently and in some areas for more than two years.

Residents fetch water for household use from a filthy stream that runs through the area. A crèche, situated close to the stream, also fetches water from this stream for daily use. It has been reported that children in the area have been admitted to the hospital with severe diarrhoea.

Chapter 2 of the Constitution provides that: “Everyone has the right to have access to sufficient food and water.” It is an absolute disgrace that the dignity of this community is infringed upon by the poor service delivery of the ANC-led municipality. This reflects the government’s failure at its most basic level.

DA Mafube councillors have regularly raised this issue in council, but requests for action have been blatantly ignored. The ANC-led council alleges it is an “enormous area” of 3000 residents and that they only have 3 trucks available on a daily basis to supply water in the municipality at a cost of R2000 per delivery.

DA councillor, Suzette Steyn, was informed, following an enquiry, by the previous director of Technical Services, that the municipality was attempting to bring relief to the area by installing three Jo-Jo tanks, but the process has been hampered by authorisation not received through the supply chain process for the purchase of bricks to build the stands for the tanks.

The DA embarked on a water march on 12 September 2022 and delivered a memorandum to the Office of the Free State Premier, listing the problems and possible solutions relating to the ongoing poor management of water resources in the province.

The DA continues to fight for the rights of Free State residents to receive basic services, including access to clean water.

Issued by Mariette Pittaway - Constituency Head Helen Suzman Constituency