Services have been brought to a halt in Masilonyana after angry Theunissen residents arrived in their numbers to close down municipal offices.

It’s understood that residents of the embattled Masilonyana Local Municipality in the Free State initiated the shutdown of municipal offices on Wednesday (31/1). Rise Mzansi’s convenor in the province, Nomsa Marchesi, was part of the group picketing in front of the municipal headquarters.

Among the issues raised by residents was the restoration of water in all areas. The issue of water in this municipality has caused hostility between residents and the municipality. The vandalism which took place at the water treatment plant in December 2023, worsened the situation in the municipality which even struggled to pay workers for months last year. 

OFM News previously reported that Nadia du Toit, a local resident, said the festive season was bleak for them, as the lack of water had a significant impact on households and businesses. 

Free State Rise Mzansi's convenor, Nomsa Marchesi, with a resident whose tap has been dry for some time. Photo supplied

Marchesi said she conducted oversight visits to two community clinics with Rise Mzansi’s convenor in the Free State, Mokgadi Kganakga. They discovered that the Lusaka and Masilo clinics had to close due to a lack of water supply. This is despite the clinics having Jojo tanks. They discovered the water from the tanks was not suitable for consumption.

A video shared by a resident shows community members collecting water to drink from one of the bakkies in town.

““We have been in Brandfort and now we are in Theunissen. Both these towns do not have water.” Some residents in Theunissen say they haven’t had water for 8 years. Residents say they have decided to close down the municipal offices because they do not see any purpose of this municipality,” Marchesi said.

She further added that people who were at the clinic from 08:00 were told to go home at 13:00, without any assistance on Wednesday 31 January 2024 due to a lack of water.

An elderly woman was sent home by a local clinic without being assisted, as they did not have water. Photo supplied

“It’s a very sad situation, there was an old woman who said she uses her SASSA grant to have people collect water for her. The whole community has decided to stand up and say enough is enough,” she added.

They discovered the water from the Jojo tanks was not suitable for consumption. Photo supplied

Meanwhile, residents have called for the council to be placed under section 135 C, which translates into the dissolution of the troubled municipal council. Residents are also calling for municipal mayor Dimakatso Modise to be removed.

Despite the municipality’s efforts to dispatch water trucks, a resident noted that one truck is currently broken while another two are stranded without diesel.

OFM News has sent an enquiry to the municipality and is waiting for the response. 

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg