Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, announced his department’s plans for taking over these two portfolios in Free State municipalities.

Mchunu announced during yesterday’s presidential Imbizo in Mangaung that the department will take over in the Welkom-based Matjhabeng, Qwaqwa-based Maluti-A-Phofung, and Trompsburg-based Kopanong Local municipalities.

In his address he promised that the department will work on construction of new pipelines worth at least R500 million, aimed at supplying residents with water.

This move by the Department follows after the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) conducted a five-day oversight visits to the province.

READ MORE: NCOP concludes its visit to the Free State

Mchunu also vowed to address sewerage spillages across towns such as Botshabelo among others. He says this is huge problem for residents .

"That thing is going to go as soon as we complete two projects, and then later on deal with the sanitation issues. We are going to intervene in Kopanong and Matjhabeng, where things have just collapsed," he adds.

In August 2021, Mchunu and his deputy, David Mahlobo, visited the municipality to asses and get first-hand information about the issues of water and sanitation in that area.

READ MORE: Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister frustrated by appalling conditions

During one of the briefings by Deputy Minister Mahlobo, he expressed his disappointment regarding the state of water, sanitation and infrastructure conditions that people are still subjected to 27 years after the dawn of democracy in South Africa.

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