ANC councillor, Lefa Lekhula, during the water and sanitation assessment and inspection of the treatment plant, accused officials of misleading the journalists. 

Lekhula says the AG has said a lot about the incompletion of the project, whilst the municipality makes it appear as if it's complete. He says officials were even further flaunting the Covid-19 regulations by failing to provide adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which includes toilets and showers, to workers at the plant. 

Meanwhile, the Municipal Manager (MM), Selby Selepe, brushed off the allegations and told journalists that nowhere did the AG's report for the 2019/20 financial year, made mention of any irregularities involving the treatment plant.

Meanwhile, Lekhula said the workers were risking their lives.

"So it's not a reflection in terms of what's happening here. The money is chowed by all these projects and I hope they show they AG's report. The AG's report says it appears that they say the project is complete but only 60% of the work is done here. This project has been pushed from the previous term and it cost the municipality almost a billion, and is yet to be completed," he added.

On Tuesday, the Department of Water and Sanitation, in conjunction with the municipality, held an inspection of the Zastron and Rouxville water treatment plant.

The departmental spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau, told journalists that the department, in conjunction with the municipality and the Department of Cooperative Governance (Cogta), has made an effort to address these issues. Ratau said work between themselves and their sister department, Cogta, seeks to ensure that residents receive proper and quality services. During a media tour at the Zastron Water Treatment plant, Ratau told journalists that the two departments and the municipality cannot sleep whilst residents suffer the consequences of water and sanitation issues in the area.

Residents have previously lamented the poor road conditions, non-collection of waste refuse and sewage spillage, which remain common occurrences at various Free State municipalities, including in Mohokare Local Municipality.

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