Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Annelie Lotriet MP.
Winburg and Makeleketla have now been subjected to three weeks of either no or interrupted water and electricity supply.
More than a week ago the Masilonyana Local Municipality indicated that the electricity has been restored in most parts of the town, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. This also directly affects the water supply as the water treatment plant depends on the availability of electricity.
This is now reaching crisis levels as schools, hostels and old age homes cannot provide proper sanitation facilities and prepare food without water and electricity. Businesses cannot operate and are incurring great losses. Whilst all this is happening, the municipality is not providing any answers or reports on progress. They are also not providing interim relief such as water tanks.
The DA pledges to enhance the provision of clean, sustainable water supplies through various measures:
- Engaging private companies in water infrastructure projects via a performance-based private-public partnership model.
- Enhancing wastewater treatment and reuse to improve water quality and conservation, particularly in light of the 2022 Green Drop report highlighting deficiencies.
- Considering the establishment of a dedicated grant for water infrastructure maintenance, ensuring exclusive allocation to upkeep.
- Facilitating private investment in water infrastructure to expedite development and maintenance of dams and treatment facilities.
The DA has informed the MEC for CoGTA in the Free State, but no response has been forthcoming. It is clear that the ANC government does not care for the people of the Free State and they do not have the capacity nor the will to provide constitutionally enshrined services such as clean, drinkable water to communities.