Note to Editors: Please find attached English soundbite by Cllr Ian Riddle, Afrikaans soundbite by Werner Pretorius MPL, and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL. See attached pictures here, here and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mohokare has written formal questions to the MEC of CoGTA, Saki Mokoena, to address the ongoing water crisis in Smithfield.
Residents have endured three days without water, from 6 to 9 September, and again woke up today to dry taps.
Mohokare has admitted that chlorine supplies have once again run out, leaving the local water treatment plant unable to provide safe drinking water to households, schools, healthcare facilities, and businesses.
Too often, residents go days without access to water due to a lack of proper planning and budgeting. The haphazard delivery of water to Smithfield and other towns of Mohokare is not a recent phenomenon. This issue is evident in the MEC’s response to the written questions.
In his response on 4 August 2025, the MEC indicated that the municipality “is currently facing significant challenges in maintaining stable water provision across its three towns due to a combination of human resources, electricity outages and infrastructure-related issues.” and confirmed that a shortage of chlorine contributed to the water outages in Smithfield and that the root cause of the chlorine shortage was due to non-payment of the service providers who supply Mohokare with chemicals.
The MEC is thus well aware of the water delivery challenges in Mohokare and should assist the municipality to address these.
The haphazard delivery has a devastating effect on the local economy and the delivery of essential health services and poses a significant health risk to the most vulnerable residents of the town.
We urge the ANC-led administration to secure chlorine and other essential supplies immediately and to expedite investments in Smithfield’s water infrastructure to restore reliable water access for all residents.
For too long, political games, infighting, and absent consequence management have plagued Mohokare, leaving residents to suffer poor service delivery.
We will continue to champion the delivery of basic services to residents of Mohokare, enabling social and economic growth that is much needed.