The DA is deeply concerned that persistent water leaks across Matjhabeng are compounding the municipality’s ongoing water crisis.
“Despite the community’s struggles with unreliable and potentially unsafe water, the municipality has failed to address these leaks with the urgency and seriousness the situation demands,” says ward councillor René Steyn.
Water leaks remain unattended for days and even weeks on end, resulting in the loss of thousands of liters of water – a resource already in critical shortage. This delay in repairs not only exacerbates the current water crisis but also causes damage to roads and infrastructure, with unfilled trenches creating additional hazards for residents.
These failures highlight a glaring lack of capacity within the Department of Infrastructure to effectively address the crisis. Without urgent intervention, the situation will continue to deteriorate, leaving residents to endure the consequences of municipal neglect.
To ensure immediate and long-term action, the DA calls for prioritisation of leak repairs.
“The municipality must implement an emergency plan to address the backlog of water leak repairs. Dedicated teams must be deployed immediately to fix all reported leaks within 24 to 48 hours,” says Steyn.
Every repair must include the proper backfilling of trenches and the restoration of road surfaces to prevent further damage to infrastructure and ensure safety for motorists and pedestrians.
The Department of Infrastructure must be capacitated with the necessary resources, tools, and skilled personnel to respond to water leaks and other infrastructure issues promptly. This includes hiring additional technicians and providing adequate equipment for efficient service delivery.
“We will demand a detailed report from the Department of Infrastructure on the current state of water leak repairs, including reasons for delays and measures to improve response times.
“Water leaks are not a minor issue, they are a significant contributor to the worsening water crisis in Matjhabeng. Every drop wasted is a loss to the community, and every delay in repairs deepens the hardships faced by residents.
“The DA will continue to hold the municipality accountable until the infrastructure department delivers the urgent and effective action that Matjhabeng residents deserve,” says Steyn.
