Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by Cllr Edwin Maliela and Afrikaans soundbite by Cllr Paul Kotzé. See attached pictures here, here, and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mangaung condemns the neglect and blatant disregard for community safety in Botshabelo. We demand that the municipality immediately repair the safety risks posed by deep excavation holes in front of residential properties.
On 21 June 2025, the municipality dug two very deep excavations along the pavement in front of house number 682 and piled soil in one section of a bustling street that leads to the school and the shopping mall in Section H, Botshabelo.
These were dug to determine the origin of the seeping underground water, which makes the nearby houses waterlogged for much of the year.
The workers cordoned off these excavations and promised to send a civil engineer for the purpose, but from then until now, nothing has been done, and these holes are now unprotected and filled with stagnant water.
Despite the clear safety risks to motorists, children and the elderly, the municipality has failed to properly cordon off and rehabilitate this area, which has now become a breeding ground for pests, mosquitoes and waterborne diseases.
This situation reflects a blatant disregard for community safety. It highlights the municipality’s continued failure, under the ANC administration, to deliver basic and responsible services to people, despite numerous reports to the local municipal regional office and the Head of Department, Mr I. Masobeng and the then Member of the Mayoral Committee, Mr V Soqaga, before their reshuffling.
We demand that these excavations be rehabilitated without further delay. The people of Section H deserve to live in a safe, healthy and dignified environment, not marred by municipal incompetence and inaction.