Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Selmé Pretorius and Sesotho by Cllr David Masoeu.
The communities of Soutpan and Ikgomotseng in Mangaung Metro Municipality have endured a dire water supply predicament for over a decade. The Metro’s persistent failure to communicate, find solutions, or enact contingency plans has exacerbated this crisis significantly.
Residents are left to grapple with extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves, veld fires, and droughts without reliable access to water, enduring periods as long as four weeks without supply. Out of desperation, some resort to collecting water from streams or even animal drinking troughs on farms. Various factors contribute to these water outages, including mismanagement, failing infrastructure and unstable electricity supply. However, the Metro’s lack of clear communication regarding the installation of generators exacerbates the issue.
Moreover, the Metro’s failure to pay third-party suppliers has resulted in repeated suspensions of services at the Krugersdrif Dam water treatment plant, leading to extended water outages. Despite the DA’s inquiries regarding payment delays, no substantive feedback has been provided, demonstrating gross negligence on the part of responsible officials.
The inconsistent water supply persists, with some residents enduring weeks without water or receiving only limited supply during specified hours. This neglect constitutes a grave humanitarian crisis, demanding immediate redress.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) insists on a comprehensive investigation into the Soutpan/Ikgomotseng water supply crisis. We demand that the Metro furnish us with a detailed action plan, complete with timelines and contingency measures, to resolve this issue permanently.
Free Staters have the opportunity on 29 May 2024 to vote for the only party with a proven track record of effective governance and service delivery. Vote DA to rescue South Africa.