Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Tania Halse and Sesotho by Karabo Khakhau MP.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is concerned about Mantsopa Local Municipality’s inability to properly spend the Water Services Infrastructure Grant. Despite the conditional directive for these funds aimed at upgrades to the water purification plants and other water infrastructure. Unfortunately, due to bad planning and mismanagement, these funds go unspent.
Residents, businesses, healthcare institutions, and schools in the greater Ladybrand are all victims of the ANC’s systemic failure to maintain, repair and upgrade Mantsopa Local Municipality’s water infrastructure. Photos taken by the Department of Water show the degradation of the facilities that supply water to Mantsopa residents.
In the Blue Drop Watch report released in 2023, for the 2021/22 financial year, the Department of Water refers to the state of the water purification plant of Ladybrand. Their comments on the municipality’s ability to supply safe drinking water to its community were stated as “Inadequate alignment of the Microbiological Monitoring programme to SANS 241:2015 requirements mean the safety of water provided cannot be guaranteed.” It further states that the Ladybrand and other local water purification plant’s chemical compliance is poor. The statement “coupled with poor Chemical Monitoring compliance achieved for all systems, further reduces the confidence in the water supplied”, is very worrying.
In recent weeks water supply to Mantsopa residents has become very erratic. In addition to the hit-and-miss chance of actually receiving a continued supply of tap water, the quality of water has deteriorated. The foul smell emanating from the water has residents up in arms.
Calls by residents and the DA to the Municipal Manager, Matiro Mogopoli to account for the quality of water, have gone unanswered. The arrogant and dismissive attitude from the MM has left residents furious about possible outbreaks of waterborne illness in the community.
Only a DA government can save Mantsopa residents from the ANC’s incapacity to place qualified and experienced staff in key positions. We are committed to bringing change across the country and therefore urge all residents to register to vote in the 2024 National and Provincial Government elections.