There are no answers as to why large areas in Odendaalsrus, Welkom and Thabong have had no water since Tuesday (30/05).
Hundreds of thousands of residents and also business have not seen a drop of water for six days now, and businesses in Welkom and Odendaalsrus are reporting severe financial loses amounting to millions, because of the dry taps.
A large retail store in Odendaalsrus reports they will have to close their doors if the no-water situation continues, and another business in Welkom is reporting stock losses amounting to millions. The entire stock relies on water.
On Monday Bloem Water informed the municipality that their Instrumentation and IT team were addressing the reason why the KSB pump tripped shortly after repairs last week.
During the morning Balkfontein was pumping 94ML/d.
The new high level for Riebeeckstad reservoir is 19% and the pumps will be able to run.
On water shedding the team discovered the G42 and Kutlwanong valves were turned to the open position, making it difficult on even distribution of water to some of the other areas.
“The municipality has a contingency plan which includes 9 water tankers to assist the affected areas. Ward councillors are assisting the officials tasked with implementing the plan to identify affected communities. All hands are on deck to speedily resolve the water challenge. Please exercise patience during this time,” says Tshediso Tlali, spokesperson for Matjhabeng municipality.
The promised water tankers are very few and far between and there have been isolated sightings in Welkom itself. Residents say there are four water tankers in Thabong.
Residents are venting their anger and frustration on Facebook and on WhatsApp groups, and anger levels have reached a stage of mutiny.
Sentiments include that residents are being lied to about the real causes of the water situation and there is a lack of confidence in the contractor who was appointed to fix the pipes and pump on 30 May.
Residents say water shedding and water loss must be directly attributed to Matjhabeng’s outstanding account to Bloem Water.
Generally residents and businesses are saying they will not be able to afford to pay municipal rates this month. “Enough is enough I am sick and tired paying municipal taxes and service fees to Matjhabeng Local municipality. I am a resident and herewith confirm that I intend to stop payment of my taxes to the useless municipality,” one resident wrote on WhatsApp.
In a letter to the executive Mayor of Matjhabeng, Thanduloxo Khalipha, Manie Pretorius, Freedom Front Plus – Chief Whip (Matjhabeng) stated that the perpetual lack of water in Matjhabeng has reached a point where residents cannot tolerate the situation any longer.
“The ongoing water crisis is a direct violation of residents’ basic right to access to water. Judging by the long period of lack of water currently, it can be argued that Matjhabeng Local Municipality is not fulfilling its mandate to ensure access to water in accordance with The Constitution,” said Pretorius.
He is especially concerned about the fact that water tankers are deployed in certain wards, while other
wards are being neglected.
“If this unequal distribution of water persists, it is easy to assume that water has become a political canvassing tool with taxpayers’ money and state funds. As elected public representatives we have an obligation to oversee the municipality’s service delivery efforts. However, as mayor of Matjhabeng, you have an obligation to ensure that the municipality executes service delivery mechanisms effectively to the benefit of residents.”
Pretorious says Khalipha has an obligation as mayor to be transparent and act as if the administration is accountable to the residents who have been plagued by the water crisis.
