Free State residents and businesses in the troubled Matjhabeng Local Municipality should brace themselves for reduced water supply starting next week.

This follows an announcement by Vaal Central Water, indicating it will begin implementing water supply cuts from Thursday (25/7) due to ongoing non-payment issues.

Vaal Central Water spokesperson, Lindiwe Mguni, cautioned the Matjhabeng Ratepayers Association, mines, farmers, and community members about the impending water supply restrictions. She said the municipality's continuous non-payment has severely impacted the water board’s accounts. Mguni emphasised the water cuts will be initiated according to Section 4(5) of the Water Services Act.

In March last year, the Welkom-based municipality owed the Vaal Central Water Board R5 billion. OFM News reported these arrears have accumulated over several years due to multiple payment failures. Member of Parliament George Michalakis alleged the substantial debt has also resulted in deteriorating water infrastructure, as it is unreasonable to expect the water board to fulfill its contractual obligations under these circumstances.

Mguni added similar warnings have been issued to other municipalities in the Free State, including Nala and Kopanong. The cash-strapped Kopanong Local Municipality was among those that experienced water supply restrictions last year due to an R500 million debt. During a parliamentary question-and-answer session, Deputy President Paul Mashatile mentioned they met with the water board regarding watershedding at the local municipality. The 2021 State of Local Government report identified Kopanong as a service delivery hotspot and a dysfunctional municipality.

Several Northern Cape municipalities, including Dikgatlong, Phokwane, Tsantsabane, Maquassi Hills, Khai-Ma, Ga-Segonyana, and Tsantsabane, will also face water restrictions due to ongoing non-payments to the Vaal Central Water Board.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg