By Suzette Steyn | DA Councillor Mafube Local Municipality
Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Suzette Steyn and Sesotho soundbite by David Masoeu MPL. Please see the pictures here, here, and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will intensify oversight of the Mafube Local Municipality and demand immediate action to ensure clean, reliable water for all residents. The failure to address water quality and supply issues in Frankfort, Tweeling, and surrounding areas continues to harm the community despite adequate rainfall and ongoing projects.
On 14 January 2024, during a monthly feedback meeting on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project shutdown, DA Councillor Suzette Steyn represented the interests of Mafube residents. The meeting covered updates on the maintenance-related tunnel closure, municipal interventions during this period, and the condition of local rivers.
At the previous meeting on 11 December 2024, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) official, Ms G Venter, committed to discussing water quality testing results with Mr S Thejane, Mafube’s acting technical director. However, at the January meeting, Mr Thejane admitted to failing to meet this request. He attributed the lack of water quality control in Frankfort and Tweeling to high turbidity levels in the Wilge River and Liebenbergsvlei.
Additionally, he revealed that three of the six sand filters at Frankfort’s water treatment plant are non-operational, with the plant upgrade only expected to be completed by October 2025.
The ongoing Frankfort abstraction and raw water supply upgrade project aims to resolve these issues. Key benefits of this project include implementing an immediate temporary pumping solution at the Frankfort abstraction works; refurbishing Frankfort’s water treatment plant; and replacing the current pipeline, prone to frequent bursts, with a more durable 630mm HDPE pipe that will increase capacity from 160 l/s to 267 l/s (23 ml/day).
Construction is already underway. However, Engineer Philip de Wet from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) criticised Mafube Local Municipality’s poor project management, underspending, and slow progress, which limit the department’s ability to allocate additional funds. He also highlighted severe waste dumping near the Frankfort water extraction point, warning it could lead to contamination. Immediate action to clean this area is critical. Mr Thejane noted that a request for assistance with debris removal was submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs, but feedback is still pending.
The water crisis in Tweeling also remains dire. Residents have endured an eight-day outage without any prior communication. Mr Thejane explained that a burnt-out cable required a new pump motor, while delays in upgrading the Tweeling pump station exacerbated the situation.
Rural Free State has since begun upgrading the electrical system, but persistent low water pressure continues to affect higher-lying areas. This issue can only be resolved when six new boreholes are equipped and operational. Unfortunately, the borehole pump house’s relocation due to flood line issues has delayed progress. DWS confirmed they have received the updated servitude request.
The DA is deeply alarmed by Mafube’s insufficient water quality control measures. The reliance on “jar tests” conducted by chemical suppliers is inadequate to ensure potable water for our communities. Complaints about yellow, foul-smelling water are increasing daily, raising serious public health concerns.
To address these challenges, the DA will:
- Submit formal questions to the Department of Water and Sanitation regarding water quality testing processes and timelines for infrastructure upgrades;
- Demand Mafube Municipality urgently expedite all outstanding processes, including the relocation of the Tweeling pump house and the completion of Frankfort’s water treatment plant upgrade;
- Insist on immediate waste removal near Frankfort’s water extraction point to prevent contamination; and
- Strengthen our oversight efforts to hold the municipality accountable for providing safe, clean drinking water—a basic human right.
The neglect of Mafube’s water systems continues to harm residents’ health and daily lives. The DA calls on the municipality to prioritise action and restore dignity to our communities.