According to the Democratic Alliance's Rossouw Botes, the Auditor General’s report of 13 February 2023 revealed how much money is lost by the municipality. "The municipality needs income and this is one area to pay attention to and try and stop high water losses. Taxpayers must pay for these water losses," he adds.

The water loss issue in the municipality is not new, as it has been previously stated that 46% of the municipality's water is lost due to leakages. The official opposition party once took it to the streets to hand over a list of water-related challenges and solutions to the Premier’s Office. 

ALSO READ: List of water-related challenges, solutions handed over

The memorandum contained information on water-related challenges that different municipalities within the province have been experiencing. The DA’s provincial leader, Roy Jankielsohn, explained that the memorandum does not only include challenges, it also includes possible solutions they believe could help. Jankielsohn mentioned that one of the reasons for the unsafe water residents in the province consume, is the raw sewage that runs into streams, rivers, through fields, yards and the streets of residents.

He is of the view that the challenges with water are a result of poor basic service delivery by the provincial government. 

ALSO READ: 'Mangaung loses 46% of its water due to leakages'

The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, previously stated the municipality's loss of about 46% of its water was due to water pipe leakages. He said these water pipes have not been maintained or repaired.

During President Cyril Ramaphosa's Presidential Imbizo in Bloemfontein in 2022, Mchunu announced two projects worth at least R500 million to supply water to Mangaung residents, who are often irate about recurring 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.

OFM News