Note to Editors: Please find attached English soundbite by Cllr Ian Riddle, Afrikaans soundbite by Werner Pretorius MPL, and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Kabelo Moreeng. See attached pictures here, here, and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mohokare will submit urgent questions to the Free State MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) to ensure immediate intervention in the ongoing sewage crisis plaguing the community of Itumeleng, Zastron.
The crisis has not only impacted the daily lives of residents in Itumeleng, Zastron but also poses a serious threat to public health. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to these risks.
The community of Itumeleng in Zastron is currently facing a severe and persistent sewage crisis that requires immediate and decisive action from Mohokare. Despite repeated reports and pleas from residents and the DA, the situation continues to deteriorate, with no practical solutions implemented to address the problem.
The continuous sewage leaks have escalated into an extreme health hazard for the residents of Itumeleng. The severity of the crisis is evident in the fact that sewage is now seeping through the floors of local homes, posing a threat to the health and well-being of individuals and families.
The ongoing exposure to these hazardous conditions has dramatically worsened the community’s living environment.
Residents have made numerous requests to Mohokare Local Municipality. However, these appeals have gone mostly unanswered, and the problem remains unresolved. The community is left in a state of desperation, with urgent action necessary to restore safe living conditions.
It is concerning that the situation has reached such catastrophic proportions before significant action is taken. Immediate intervention is critical to prevent further harm and to support the residents of Itumeleng in reclaiming their community and restoring their quality of life.
We have, in the past (see here) and will again submit questions to the Free State MEC of CoGTA regarding the impending sewerage crisis.
We call on the ANC-governed Mohokare to heed the ANC President’s directives and adopt the proactive governance measures demonstrated in DA-run local governments, where accountability and clean audits are maintained as part of good governance practices, resulting in sound service delivery.