Action SA Chairperson in the Free State, Patricia Kopane, claims residents of Welkom, Odendaalsrus, Virginia and Allanridge have been without water for more than ten days.

Kopane alleges that the disruptions followed after Bloem Water took over Sedibeng Water, which led to uncertainty over payment arrangements and who is responsible for ordering water purification chemicals.

OFM News previously reported that most residents of Matjhabeng were without water several weeks ago due to a shortage of water purification chemicals.

Meanwhile, Kopane says on Thursday 16 November, Mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha met with various political parties, including residents, to explain the municipality’s challenges regarding water cuts and sewage spillages.

Despite this, Kopane says residents remain without water due to the lack of service delivery by the Matjhabeng Municipality.

ALSO READ: Water outages being addressed in Matjhabeng

“People are frustrated, people have lost hope. The right to water is a basic need, that is really concerning and the municipality don’t care at all. If there is no water, businesses are closing, which means we are talking about unemployment because business people must close their businesses. This means it is costly as the economy of the country is going down also. Our country is on the verge of collapsing,” she adds.

ALSO READ: Sewage spillage a thorn in Matjhabeng’s side

Kopane says Khalipha has let down residents by not effectively negotiating the transition between Sedibeng Water to Bloem Water, and by not fulfilling his promise of purchasing water tankers to be used during times of water shortages.

ALSO READ: Water-shedding leads to unrest in Welkom township

She further said that Action SA will report the matter to the Human Rights Commission, as the mayor has failed to come up with solutions.

OFM News has sent an inquiry to the Matjhabeng Municipality.

OFM News