/ 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 DA in Mafube Local Municipality is concerned with the lack of accountability in service delivery. On the morning of 20 January 2023, the residents of Ward 7 in Namahadi called for an urgent meeting with the ANC to once again beg for effective water services. They received another row of false promises.

The community has been without a regular water supply for well over ten years now. Elderly people are often seen in Ward 7 washing clothes in the streets. Water is supplied by 3 to 4 trucks. Residents often go without regular water supply for periods ranging from ten days to three weeks.

Ward 7 is still subjected to bucket toilets and drinking water being delivered in tanks every three days. Despite having toilets in the houses, the sewerage systems are not connected. The buckets are replaced once every three months if they are lucky. They must walk long distances to collect drinking water, which is murky at best. Leaking municipal taps abound, with no response from the municipality when they report defects.

Another individual lost his life in Ward 7 in Mafube Local Municipality on January 9 after another shack was destroyed by fire, and locals said the victim was unable to escape because the house caught fire. Residents believe that if there had been water on the day of the fire the awful loss would have been avoided.

The residents’ are desperate and have informed the ANC councillor of Ward 7 that they will address the Municipal manager as a community and insist that he and his senior managers visit and see the situation on the ground, not only regarding water supply but also the lack of infrastructure and road maintenance.

The municipality has to assume responsibility for providing water and sanitation services. We cannot allow communities to be left without drinkable water or water tankers for days on end. The DA will continuously raise the matter with the municipality to ensure steps are taken to restore water to the community.

Issued by Suzette Steyn - DA Caucus Leader Mafube Local Municipality