Central SA
Minister to address issues of water, sanitation in FS─── 13:39 Wed, 25 Aug 2021
![Minister to address issues of water, sanitation in FS Minister to address issues of water, sanitation in FS | News Article](https://oscar.ofm.co.za/img/f56b1400-d3df-4af8-a582-a47a92690b74.jpg?crop=0,0,450,253)
The Mangaung Metro's mayor, Mxolisi Siyonzana, joined by City Manager Sello More, have just arrived in Welkom where the national minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, is set to address the media on local water and sanitation issues.
Mchunu is currently locked in a meeting with HODs of both the Free State and the Northern Cape, alongside representatives of water boards, including Sedibeng Water and Bloem Water. The water boards are owed millions by municipalities such as the Mangaung Metro.
OFM News understands that Mchunu is being briefed by officials of Bloem Water and Sedibeng Water. This as the two water boards previously came out and publicly criticised municipalities who are struggling to pay their debt, running into millions.
The troubled Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality's water and sanitation crisis is expected to prominently feature in his media address this afternoon.
In 2020, OFM News reported that scores of residents of Phuthaditjhaba and Qwaqwa took to streets to protests against the very same issues.
Mchunu has extended meetings with accounting officers from the department and the two water boards, Sedibeng Water and Bloem Water. The minister was expected to address the media at 12:00 but the meeting has been extended for further deliberations.
This is a developing story.
OFM News/Blaine Jones and Lucky Nkuyane