According to the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, this is due to water pipe leakages. He says these water pipes have been neglected for years and not maintained or repaired. 

During President Cyril Ramaphosa's Presidential Imbizo, Mchunu announced that at least two projects worth at least R500 million were in the pipeline to supply water to Mangaung residents who are often irate about the re-occurring water supply cuts. OFM News previously reported that his department plans to take over the two portfolios of Water and Sanitation in at least three Free State municipalities.

Also read: Free State water and sanitation issues receive national government attention

Residents this week raised serious concerns about the issues of water and sanitation in various towns of the troubled municipality. Mchunu announced on Saturday that the department will take over in the Welkom-based Matjhabeng, Qwaqwa-based Maluti-A-Phofung, and Trompsburg-based Kopanong Local municipalities. Minister Mchunu said in Maluti-A-Phofung, unlike other municipalities, the intervention will be led by the Bloem Water board. 

He said a letter was signed and an agreement was reached that Bloem Water will head to the troubled municipality which has been facing water issues for many years now. Minister Mchunu said with the intervention, Bloem Water will deal with the unknown and known issues of water in that municipality.  

Also read: Water, Sanitation minister briefed about Maluti-a-Phofung

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

Mchunu also vowed to address sewerage spillages across towns such as Botshabelo, among others. He says this is a 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 added.

OFM News