Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Raynie Klaasen and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Kabelo Moreeng. See attached pictures here and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will urgently escalate the stormwater and housing crisis affecting vulnerable residents in Mangaung by formally engaging the municipal administration and submitting a Rule 38 request to the Head of Department for Roads and Stormwater, demanding immediate intervention and accountability.
While many residents welcome the rain during this season, for others, it exposes the harsh reality of long-standing service delivery failures in parts of Mangaung. Several local streets have no stormwater infrastructure, while in other areas, existing stormwater systems have not been properly maintained for years. As a result, heavy rainfall has caused water to accumulate and overflow into residential yards and homes, leaving some residents effectively trapped in their own properties.
Residents such as Mr Ntoba in Section A have been severely affected, with water flooding his yard to the point that he cannot safely enter or leave his premises. Situations like these highlight how the ongoing neglect of basic municipal infrastructure directly affects residents’ dignity, safety, and mobility.
Perhaps the most heartbreaking case is that of a 78-year-old resident who has been wheelchair-bound for the past 30 years. During the recent rains, water infiltrated his shack, leaving the ground inside soft and muddy and significantly limiting his ability to move around his own home. This situation is not only deeply unjust but also a stark reminder of how poor service delivery disproportionately harms the most vulnerable members of our community.
Adding to this injustice is that the foundation of an RDP house on his property has remained unfinished for several years, with no sign of completion. For residents like him, the promise of adequate housing has become nothing more than a distant dream. After more than three decades of unfulfilled promises, many communities in Mangaung are still waiting for the basic services and housing they were promised.
The failure to maintain stormwater systems and complete housing projects reflects deeper problems of poor governance, lack of oversight, and weak accountability in the municipality. When infrastructure is neglected and projects stall indefinitely, it not only undermines basic, reliable services but also prevents communities from experiencing real economic progress and improved living conditions.
The DA will continue to push for accountable governance and proper infrastructure maintenance so that every resident in Mangaung can live with dignity, safety, and access to reliable basic services.