Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Marié la Cock and Sesotho soundbite by David Masoeu MPL.
Residents of Parys and Tumahole continue to face ongoing and unpredictable water supply interruptions. While Ngwathe Local Municipality has communicated the refurbishment project at the water treatment plant, the reality is that many households are still experiencing extended periods without water.
We have written to the municipal manager to provide clear, structured guidance on water distribution during this period.
Residents cannot continue living with uncertainty about when water will be available from their taps. Families must be able to plan for basic daily needs such as cooking, cleaning, bathing, and preparing children for school. Businesses and community facilities are equally affected when the supply is cut off without warning.
The most practical and responsible step the municipality can take at this stage is to implement and communicate a formal water-shedding schedule.
Such a schedule would:
- Allow residents to plan when to store water.
- Ensure fair distribution between affected areas.
- Reduce frustration and uncertainty in the community.
- Improve trust through transparent communication.
Without a clear schedule, residents are left guessing when water will return, which places unnecessary strain and frustration on households across Parys and Tumahole.
We will continue to push for a clear, publicly available watershedding schedule so that residents can at least plan around the interruptions until normal supply is fully restored.