Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo has said during the Mayoral Imbizo in Ward 17, Welkom, at least R3.2 billion is needed to turn Matjhabeng's sewerage crisis around.

He was accompanied by the Free State Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC, Ketso Makume; Matjhabeng Mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipha; and members of Vaal Central Water Board, among others. Mahlobo gave an overview of projects which the intervention team has already started working on.

Water and Sanitation's Deputy Minister, David Mahlobo. Photo supplied

A total of 29 projects have been earmarked for the current financial year. Meanwhile, 72 projects need to be completed through the intervention while 25 projects have been identified to fix the sewerage network to benefit all 36 wards of the Goldfields municipality.

Matjhabeng Mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipha. Photo supplied

The Welkom-based municipality has recently been slammed over sewage leakages in countless streets. Spokesperson Tshidiso Tlali admitted they have been struggling with leakages as a result of old dilapidated infrastructure. Matjhabeng has been losing 56% of its clean billed water due to leakages amounting to approximately R324 million annually. Tlali said since the intervention, the 56% water leakage has been reduced to 40%.

Recently, residents of Welkom were without water for days after being informed of an emergency shutdown as a result of a pipe burst in one of the pump stations. Vaal Central Water communications and marketing manager, Lindiwe Mguni, said their team worked overtime to ensure the pipe burst was fixed. Water tankers were dispatched to affected areas to lessen the impact of water-shedding.

Residents of Ward 17 in Matjhabeng. Photo supplied

Whilst some residents felt that Khalipha has been doing a sterling job since taking over in Matjhabeng, others were of a different view on social media platforms.

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