A 67-year-old woman who lives in the Bolata area in Qwaqwa, Likeleli Vilakazi, explained that she has been feeling relieved since they've had running water in 2021, which was the first time after having dry taps for four years. She is, however, not sure that the water supply is sustainable.

Vilakazi stated that even though they now have running water, sometimes they still go for a week or even more without water or any communication to prepare them in advance.

Another woman from the Bochabela area in Qwaqwa, Moratuwa Nkomonde, had different sentiments to share as their area has been without running water for nine years now. She further explained that it is an inconvenience having to depend on Jojo tanks for water because not only are they inconsistent, but the water is often dirty.

MAP Water's spokesperson, Kelopiloe Mongaka, explained that she cannot guarantee that the whole municipality will have running water as yet due to the aged infrastructure.

"We encourage our community members to please refrain from connecting illegally to our infrastructure. We have bylaws that we are implementing and the community should abide by these laws. We also request that they report to our offices all the leakages and problems they are facing, so that we can help each other to build this community.”

Also read: Opposition demands answers over MAP debt

OFM News previously reported that this municipality is among the Free State municipalities that collectively owe Eskom over R12 billion, with more than 50% of the debt owed by the Maluti-A-Phofung and Matjhabeng Local Municipalities alone.

OFM News/Mpho Mohapi