Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Paul Kotzé and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Kabelo Moreeng.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will formally engage with municipal officials to ensure that every household in Mangaung has a functioning prepaid water meter and that residents receive timely, accurate information about billing and water usage.
We demand urgent action from the municipality to replace all broken and bypassed prepaid water meters, ensuring that residents are protected from unexpected and unfair financial burdens.
The municipality’s recent introduction of a temporary monthly charge of R332.95 plus VAT, which covers 12 kilolitres of water for households with malfunctioning or bypassed meters, is intended to prevent residents from receiving large backdated bills once new meters are installed.
However, this well-meaning measure exposes yet again the ANC-led municipality’s ongoing failure to plan, communicate, and implement policies effectively within the community.
The municipality has failed to communicate and prepare residents with clear notices or detailed explanations of these charges. Even a simple policy, such as introducing a flat rate, has been mired in inefficiency, poor planning, and inadequate execution. Residents are left confused, uncertain about their obligations, and exposed to unnecessary costs.
While the flat rate itself is not inherently problematic, it highlights the long-standing uncertainty residents face regarding their water bills. Many households have been left unsure when or if their faulty or bypassed meters would be replaced, leaving them vulnerable to unexpected costs.
This municipal inefficiency directly affects residents’ financial stability and contributes to frustration and anxiety, particularly for those on limited incomes who cannot absorb sudden charges.
The issue is compounded by the municipality’s chronic inability to monitor water consumption, which forms part of a broader problem of 49% potable water loss in Mangaung over decades of ANC mismanagement.
The lack of proper oversight and maintenance not only reduces municipal revenue but also jeopardises water security for all residents, increasing the likelihood of overbilling and waste. For the community, this results in unnecessary financial stress, uncertainty over water availability, and diminished trust in local governance.
We will continue to advocate for improved planning, clear communication, and effective implementation of municipal policies in Mangaung Metro.