Despite ongoing efforts to address service delivery issues, Matjhabeng Municipality continues to be embroiled in a severe water and sewerage crisis, sparking outrage among residents.

This weekend, videos surfaced on social media showing sewage flowing in and out of a home in White City, Virginia, drawing widespread attention and concern. The videos show an elderly woman in tears, lamenting her living conditions where she describes how her grandchild must jump over sewage when going to school.

She fears that her house, already unstable due to prolonged exposure to water damage, might collapse in strong winds. In one of the videos, she tearfully says she hopes her house will dry out while she’s at church as the smell has become unbearable.

Meanwhile, a video filmed in Thabong shows a man complaining about an unfinished project, with a gravel road flooded with water, complaining about the municipality’s failure to complete projects.

“We are facing a serious challenge in Virginia, particularly in White City, where I was called to attend to the situation,” said Tsietsi Samuel Liphoko, a community leader in Virginia Ward 5, and a municipal worker.

“It was heartbreaking to see our people living in such conditions, especially the elderly lady I met, who was in tears. She mentioned that her grandchild was born under these conditions. Every time we are told there’s money for water and sanitation for these issues, but I don’t see it.”

Liphoko criticised the municipality’s so-called solutions to the problem as “merely temporary”.

After visiting the elderly woman’s home on Thursday (29/8), municipal workers arrived on Friday to pump out the sewage, but the problem quickly resurfaced.

Since 2022, Matjhabeng has received approximately R120 million from the Department of Water and Sanitation to address sewerage problems in Virginia, Welkom, Odendaalsrus, and Allanridge. Additionally, R560 million was allocated to Vaal Central for similar projects that remain incomplete over two and a half years later.

‘Team was dispatched on Monday morning to address her specific concerns’

Residents remain frustrated despite assurances from Mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha. He was recently made to step aside by the ANC Provincial Executive Committee, who promised during imbizos to address their concerns through several ongoing projects.

They’ve acknowledged the sewerage and water crisis for a long time, urging residents to be patient as construction is underway to tackle the challenges, said Matjhabeng spokesperson, Tshediso Tlali. 

Acting Mayor Hlobohang Mokhomo visited the elderly woman’s home in White City, while a team was dispatched on Monday morning to address her specific concerns.

Regarding the second video, which shows a man highlighting a road filled with water, Tlali said the municipality had already communicated with the community about the project. He alleged the person who took the video does not live in Welkom.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg