The situation has grown increasingly dire, with some areas enduring these shortages for nearly two months, leaving residents frustrated and businesses struggling.

At the fourth Raadsaal in Bloemfontein on Friday (4/4), Armand Cloete, Member of Provincial Legislature from the FF Plus, highlighted the extent of the crisis facing these Free State municipalities. Cloete painted a bleak picture of the state of service delivery, claiming that many municipalities in the province have effectively "collapsed." He pointed specifically to the residents of Tweeling in Mafube, who have been without water since 14 February. Despite nearly two months passing, these residents are still enduring water shortages, with no solution in sight.

“I checked earlier this morning, and they are still without water. The situation is unbearable, and the municipality is doing nothing to resolve it.”

Cloete also mentioned that other areas, such as Verkeedevlei and Masilonyana have been facing water shortages for the past two weeks. These shortages are largely attributed to a lack of three-phase electricity, which is necessary to operate the submersible pumps in the boreholes. Without this power, the municipalities are unable to supply water to their residents.

Along with the water supply issues, many residents in these municipalities are also experiencing power outages, exacerbating their challenges. Residents in Theunissen, a town within the Masilonyana municipality, are facing similar issues, with power cuts leaving them without electricity for extended periods. In February, residents of the Masilonyana municipality experienced eight days without electricity, further compounding the already precarious situation.

For residents like Lindi Molahloe, a resident of Piet Retief Street, the consequences of these power cuts have been severe. Molahloe shared the difficulties her family has faced, including health problems and spoiled food. “The power cuts have affected my health and my baby’s health. Food has gone bad, and businesses in the area are suffering greatly due to the ongoing power outages.”

Wim Jacobs, a butcher, also spoke out about the financial strain caused by the power failures. Jacobs said his business had suffered significant financial losses due to the inability to store perishable goods during the frequent power cuts, leading to wastage and loss of income.

The situation in Nala municipality has become particularly concerning, with Cloete describing it as a mess. He said the council in Nala is highly unstable and unable to meet for months, resulting in a complete breakdown of governance. The municipality failed to table a draft budget for the 2025/26 financial year before the deadline on 31 March. This failure is attributed to the lack of quorum during council meetings, which prevents the municipality from carrying out essential administrative functions.

Cloete said there is currently a motion of no confidence against the mayor, who has been repeatedly absent from meetings. The speaker of the municipality has also faced criticism for his lack of leadership during this crisis, further undermining public confidence in local governance.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg