Note to editors: Please find attached the English soundbite by Cllr Chris Dalton and Sesotho by Cllr Mbali Mnaba.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is concerned about the ongoing violation of basic human rights in Moqhaka Local Municipality, particularly evident in the severe water crisis crippling communities like Maokeng, especially in the Phomolong area. Residents face the distressing reality of dry taps, enduring this dire situation for weeks without urgent assistance. Despite the presence of contractors equipped with water trucks, no meaningful efforts are made to alleviate the residents’ plight.
Compounding the issue, when water is eventually restored, the newly installed valves frequently leak, leading to excessive water wastage that exacerbates road hazards with water pools and mud holes, making navigation difficult and hazardous, not to mention the impact on sewage systems.
The substandard quality of work by contractors does not correlate with the inflated costs of contracts. Projects are often signed off as completed, disregarding the unacceptable standards of workmanship. This lax oversight allows contractors to receive full payment for their inadequate work.
The dire hygiene conditions faced by residents, particularly affecting children, cannot be overstated. The lack of water for bathing or flushing toilets presents a clear and present danger, creating an environment ripe for the spread of diseases and viruses. Urgent action is imperative as water is the lifeblood of every community, and its neglect by the municipality is unacceptable.
We commit to raising this issue in the council and actively participating in finding sustainable solutions to the crisis. We urge all residents to exercise their democratic right by registering to vote, as this is the tool every citizen possesses to effect positive change and address the deteriorating conditions in Moqhaka.
The neglect and disrespect for the rights of the people by the municipality, driven by self-interest rather than the welfare of the community, is unacceptable. Moqhaka, once regarded as the Jewel of the Free State, deserves better leadership.