Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Dewald Hattingh and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mantsopa has written to the municipal manager, Matiro Mogopodi, to take urgent action to ensure Excelsior residents have a reliable water supply by calling on the Mantsopa Local Municipality to immediately restore and maintain all 11 boreholes to provide water during disruptions.
Last week’s crisis, caused by a scheduled cut in supply from Vaal Central Water and compounded by two major breakages, left residents without water for several days.
The community of Excelsior once again endured a water crisis last week when supply from our leading provider, Vaal Central Water, was cut off for maintenance. This disruption was compounded by two major breakages that left residents without water for several days.
This crisis highlighted the deep failures of the Mantsopa Local Municipality to maintain and restore alternative water sources. Excelsior has 11 boreholes, yet only three are currently operational.
Two of these were only repaired during last week’s crisis, despite my repeated letters and requests to the Municipal Manager for urgent action on borehole repairs. The lack of foresight and planning has left our community highly vulnerable to disruptions in the bulk supply system.
To make matters worse, millions of rands have already been spent on a water purification plant that is supposed to serve Mahlatswetsa. Yet this facility remains not up to standard, failing to provide relief during water shortages. This is a shocking waste of public money and another example of poor governance by the municipality.
The DA strongly condemns this ongoing neglect. Water is a fundamental human right, and the people of Excelsior and Mahlatswetsa deserve a reliable, sustainable supply. We call on the Municipal Manager and the Mantsopa Local Municipality to immediately prioritise the complete restoration of all 11 boreholes to ensure redundancy in supply.
Also, to ensure that proper communication is given to residents whenever maintenance or disruptions to the water supply are expected.
We will continue to apply pressure until real solutions are delivered. Excelsior cannot afford to lurch from one water crisis to the next.