This, as the newly appointed MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thembeni Nxangisa, during the tabling of his budget confirmed that the number of towns with pit toilets and no running water is still staggering. 

Nxangisa said there is a high need to invest in infrastructure development in the province and ensure that basic services, such as water, are provided to communities. 

Tabling his R456 million budget, Nxangisa outlined that a substantial amount of this money will not only be used to capacitate their human resources, support the many cited and cash-strapped municipalities, but also used to improve water and sanitation infrastructure.

Nxangisa alluded that the provincial department will onwards work hand-in-hand with the national department to ensure clean drinkable water and eradicate the bucket system.

In addition to measures that will be taken to ensure that communities are provided with these needs and that their hygiene is prioritised, Nxangisa announced that the province will now commit itself in various clean-up campaigns. He said they will visit various towns in the Free State every single Friday to clean streets, rivers and streams.

Nxangisa, also alluded that they will keep a close eye on municipalities such as Masilonyana, Mafube and Maluti-A-Phofung that have long been placed under administration and will ensure that water and sanitation challenges faced in these areas are addressed.

In support of his budget, Finance MEC Gadija Brown said her department will work closely with Cogta to provide continuous support to all municipalities throughout the province and ensure that challenges that continue to plague communities are addressed.

She said they have noted the recent report by the AG on local government and warned that should this department and municipalities not implement cost containment measures nor plans to ensure infrastructures development plans, heads will roll.

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