According to a community leader, Mpholo Moshe, residents are forced to fetch water from streams contaminated by sewage spillages. Moshe says the municipality "lied" when it announced that water had been restored.

"This is the situation, you can see that people are getting water from the small water pipe, and it’s been weeks now without water. We tried to communicate with the office of the mayor, but they are not responding.

"The only thing we saw was an update on Facebook saying water will be restored after two days as a water pump has been replaced, which would then allow them to restore the water supply to residents.

"But now we have not had water even today (29/3) and we are still waiting here, frustrated. People are now fetching water from the streams where that water is contaminated by sewage spillages," says Moshe.

The municipality issued a statement on its Facebook page that states alternative means of water supply are continuously undertaken and that four water trucks delivered drinking water to various parts of the communities of Winburg and Makeleketla on Tuesday (28/3).

"The councillor of Ward 5 (ANC chief whip) Phuthi Tlahadi sacrificed his bakkie to deliver drinking water to various communities across all wards. An update on the delivery and installation of the pump will be issued during the course of the day," states the municipality on Facebook. 

OFM News recently reported how residents of Tumahole in the Ngwathe municipality based in Parys, have been hit hard by the effects of water-shedding for at least two years. Without tankers delivering water, residents say they are forced to go to extreme measures to access water. Pictures doing the rounds on social media show senior citizens carrying buckets and fetching water from manholes around the area.

ALSO READ: Free State residents 'forced to fetch water from manholes'

The Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana recently met some of the most troubled municipalities at the OR Tambo House in Bloemfontein over water issues.

ALSO READ: Free State premier meets with municipalities over water issues

During the meeting, Dukwana vowed it wouldn’t be business as usual for underperforming municipalities across the province, where water shortages, among other service delivery issues, have left residents fuming.

ALSO READ: ‘It won’t be business as usual’ – Free State premier

Dukwana told officials there's a need to ensure that available water is jealously reserved for the people's benefit, especially with water being a scarce resource.

"According to the Department of Water and Sanitation, some of the major water challenges include leakages and old infrastructure that has not been serviced or maintained for a long time. Crime has also been cited as one of the main reasons for the unavailability of water in many communities, as rogue elements often steal infrastructure," he added.

He also cautioned that the reason for flare-ups after water shortages was a result of municipalities failing to communicate with residents. He urged mayors to be bold and courageous in addressing challenges faced by communities.

OFM News