Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Brunhilde Rossouw and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Ernst Putsoenyane. See attached video here.
The Masilonyana Municipality has been warned repeatedly that Winburg, Makeleketla, is heading towards a serious water crisis, yet the warnings have been ignored.
The Wolwas Dam, which was constructed as a backup water source for Winburg during periods of water shortages, is currently empty. The dam is situated in a non-catchment area and therefore depends on water being pumped from the river into the dam. Once the river stops flowing, pumping water into the dam will no longer be possible, leaving Winburg and Makeleketla without this vital backup supply.
The river has now stopped flowing.
The DA in Masilonyana will raise questions in the provincial legislature through our CoGTA spokesperson.
This situation is extremely concerning, particularly given the ongoing drought conditions and previous warnings regarding the potential impact of El Niño conditions. Failure to act now could result in a catastrophe of immense proportions for the community.
Calls for assistance have been made repeatedly. However, residents have reportedly been blamed for vandalising the pump, while the municipality has indicated that no procurement process is in place to repair it. A proposed solution to prevent further vandalism was submitted, but it appears to have been ignored.
The situation has now become even more serious:
- Wolwas Dam is empty.
- The Rietfontein Dam is contaminated by raw sewage flowing into it.
- The sewer project is reportedly at a standstill.
- The river is no longer flowing.
- The community’s backup water supply is therefore severely compromised.
Taken together, these circumstances indicate that Winburg and Makeleketla could be facing a Day Zero water crisis within days if urgent intervention does not take place.
We are shocked that the municipality appears to be ignoring the plight of the community, despite repeated reminders of the developing crisis on an ongoing, even weekly, basis.
The community has already experienced a situation where residents were without water for more than a month. This is completely unacceptable.
Access to a reliable supply of clean water is fundamental to the health, dignity and wellbeing of the community. Residents should not have to endure prolonged periods without this essential service.
The municipality must urgently:
- Address the failure of the Wolwas Dam backup system.
- Investigate and repair the pump infrastructure required to supply Wolwas Dam.
- Implement effective measures to prevent further vandalism of critical water infrastructure.
- Address the contamination of Rietfontein Dam by raw sewage.
- Provide a clear emergency water-supply plan for Winburg and Makeleketla.
- Give the community a transparent update on the status of the sewer and water projects.
The time for warnings is over. Action is required now.
Winburg and Makeleketla cannot be allowed to reach Day Zero before authorities finally respond. Serious and immediate intervention is needed to protect the community and prevent a humanitarian water crisis.