Note to Editors: Please find attached English, Afrikaans and Sesotho soundbites by Cllr Nicky van Wyk.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mantsopa will demand an urgent investigation into the misuse of project funds and the complete collapse of Ladybrand’s water treatment system, as the failures are now placing the community’s health at serious risk. The breakdown of the treatment plant has caused untreated water to flow directly into households, exposing residents to potential disease and long-term environmental harm.
Despite allocating more than R8 million to the refurbishment and restoration of the water treatment plant, the main contractor did not carry out any work on the equipment requiring repair. The contractor instead appointed a subcontractor, who in turn appointed One Way Engineering to repair and service the critical motors and pumps needed for proper water treatment.
One Way Engineering completed the required work; however, no payments have been made to them to date. The amount still owed ranges between R1.3 million and R1.5 million, and as a direct consequence of this non-payment, all serviced equipment remains in their possession.
Further concerns include:
- The treatment facility has been thoroughly looted and is now a non-functional shell with no electricity.
- Although the project funds appear to have been paid to the main contractor, the project was never completed, and no operational infrastructure remains.
- The town’s water bypasses the treatment process entirely, placing residents at severe health risk.
This situation places the health and safety of all residents at risk,” the concerned parties said. “We can no longer remain silent while millions in public funds disappear without accountability, and while Ladybrand consumes untreated water.
We call on the Mantsopa Local Municipality, provincial government, and national oversight bodies to urgently investigate the misuse and disappearance of funds and to take immediate action to restore lawful and safe water treatment operations in Ladybrand.
Clean water is not a privilege; it is a constitutional right.