Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Carina Serfontein and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Joseph Mbele. See attached pictures here, here, here and here.
The DA will write to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to urgently intervene in the ongoing R40 million dispute between Ngwathe Local Municipality and Basieng Construction, which threatens water access for vulnerable communities.
Residents cannot be held hostage by alleged corruption, financial mismanagement, and unresolved municipal disputes while their constitutional right to water is at stake.
Basieng Construction reportedly developed more than 38 boreholes to provide much-needed water to communities in Ngwathe. However, a dispute over approximately R40 million in outstanding payments has led to reports that boreholes have been shut down.
Even more concerning are allegations, reported by News24, that former Executive Mayor Victoria de Beer-Mthombeni and her husband demanded millions of rand in payments linked to municipal contracts, including an alleged R14 million demand relating to the settlement of Basieng Construction’s outstanding account.
These allegations require a thorough and independent criminal investigation.
The DA has repeatedly sought intervention to resolve this crisis.
On Monday, 12 October 2026, the DA engaged Advocate Tsupa from the provincial intervention team, who undertook to provide feedback within 48 hours.
Despite this commitment, the DA received no feedback within the promised period.
Reports also indicate that the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation instructed the municipality to resolve the dispute within three weeks. A final resolution has yet to be confirmed.
The DA is now calling on the SAHRC to urgently investigate the situation, conduct an on-site assessment, and intervene to protect affected residents’ constitutional rights.
We specifically request that the Commission investigate the impact of the borehole shutdowns, engage the responsible authorities and demand an immediate, sustainable solution to restore and safeguard water access.
Section 27 of the Constitution guarantees everyone the right to access sufficient water.
Water is a basic human right, not a bargaining tool in financial or political disputes.
The DA supports a lawful, transparent resolution of the contractor’s claims, while insisting that allegations of corruption and extortion be investigated and that those responsible be held accountable.
The people of Ngwathe have suffered long enough from failing infrastructure, unreliable water supplies and poor municipal governance.
Communities must not pay the price for alleged corruption and government failures.
We will continue to pursue this matter until there is accountability, decisive intervention and a sustainable solution for affected residents.
Only the DA is big enough to stop the chaos. A vote for any other party is a vote for more chaos.