Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by Cllr Tim Mpakathe and Afrikaans soundbite by Cllr Dewald Hattingh
The Democratic Alliance (DA) opposed and, if necessary, challenge any unlawful attempt to declare the closure of water treatment plants a local disaster in Mantsopa Local Municipality, and will demand full compliance with the Disaster Management Act.
Following the decision by Labour Department inspectors to close certain municipal buildings for non-compliance, including the water treatment plants in Hobhouse and Excelsior, the Speaker convened a Special Council meeting on 13 February 2026 to request Council to declare a local disaster in terms of Section 55(1) of the Act. This was purportedly due to the failure, unsafe operation and regulatory non-compliance of water infrastructure.
However, Section 49 of the Act clearly states that the municipal disaster management centre must first determine whether an event qualifies as a disaster and inform the national and relevant provincial centres. No such report was tabled before Council. In the absence of this legislative prerequisite, the DA regards the process as unlawful and procedurally flawed.
If this situation is improperly declared a disaster, it will create a dangerous precedent, enabling municipalities to neglect maintenance, misuse public funds, and later seek to mask incompetence through emergency declarations. The direct consequence for residents is continued unsafe infrastructure and unreliable access to clean water.
The DA will write to the provincial authorities to request oversight intervention and will pursue all legal avenues to prevent the abuse of disaster provisions. Residents deserve lawful governance, accountability and safe water at their taps.