Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by Cllr Thulani Mbana and Afrikaans soundbite by Cllr Louis van Heerden
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will submit follow-up questions to the Municipal Manager of Metsimaholo Municipality and request monthly public reports on water quality testing, while intensifying oversight in Council to ensure consistent, transparent monitoring of safe water provision.
The DA has on several occasions raised concerns regarding possible contamination of municipal tap water and formally submitted written questions for consideration in Council. On 14 April 2026, these questions were tabled, and a written response was provided by the administration outlining testing processes conducted by the municipality, as well as by entities such as Rand Water and the Department of Water and Sanitation. The results presented to Council indicated that the water supplied to communities is currently safe for human consumption.
However, the DA has cautioned that these assurances must not lead to complacency. Without consistent testing, transparent reporting, and proactive communication, residents are left uncertain and vulnerable. The cause-and-effect is clear: limited transparency erodes public trust, while any lapse in water quality management could directly impact the health and well-being of voters.
It is important to note that it was through the DA’s persistent oversight that the municipality was compelled to provide clarity on this critical issue, after prolonged silence despite growing community concerns.
The The DA will continue to hold the executive accountable to ensure the continuous provision of safe, reliable water. Residents deserve certainty, transparency, and a municipality that prioritises their health above all else. Only a DA governed municipality can provide this.