Note to editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by Jafta Mokoena MPL.
The residents of Clocolan and Hlohloloane in Setsoto Local Municipality are facing an alarming water crisis, despite the overflow of a nearby dam. During an oversight visit to the Water Pump Station in Clocolan by the Democratic Alliance (DA), it became evident that the people in these communities have been without a reliable water supply for years. Their daily lives revolve around purchasing water or relying on water tankers for their basic needs. Please see pictures here, here and here.
The consequences of this water crisis are dire for the community. Their daily lives are significantly impacted as they struggle to access a basic necessity, resorting to expensive alternatives and relying on intermittent water tankers. This situation not only compromises their health and well-being but also hampers economic growth and development in the area.
Even local businesses are forced to rely on water tankers, highlighting the severity of the situation. Astonishingly, adjacent to the overflowing dam is a recently refurbished water treatment plant. This contradiction demonstrates the mismanagement and lack of accountability within the ANC-led municipality.
Although the town dams are filled to capacity, the essential resource of water is mysteriously absent from the taps. The pertinent question that arises is who benefits from the reliance on water tankers while the necessary infrastructure exists to provide a consistent water supply to the community?
The DA will raise this crucial question during the next council sessions to demand answers and transparency. We will call for a thorough investigation into the reasons behind this disparity. While the DA diligently holds those in power accountable, it is equally vital for the community to recognise their role in effecting change. By voting for a party that prioritises service delivery, the residents of Setsoto will have an opportunity to break free from the grip of the ANC in the upcoming 2024 elections.