This included visits to Matjhabeng and the Mangaung municipalities. The purpose of the oversight visits was to assess the state of service delivery at these municipalities, specifically relating to water and waste water management.

In an interview with OFM News, Brink says part of the solution will lie with the municipality to pay its obligations to Bloem Water, because Bloem Water cannot survive if the municipality does not meet those obligations. He says another part of the solution is to complete the existing project of building a reservoir at Pellissier in Bloemfontein. Brink says that is the point from where Bloem Water supplies about 69% of the need for water in the metro.

According to the DA's spokesperson in the Free State, Khangelwa Kolosa, residents of municipalities across the Free State have been victims of poor service delivery that includes sporadic water supply issues and sewage in fields, streets, and yards.

The oversight visit highlighted the impact of poor financial administration, lack of skills due to cadre deployment, and political infighting on service delivery. "In many instances, water boards such as Sedibeng and Bloem Water are unable to supply water due to internal mismanagement and a lack of payment by the municipalities,” she says.

“Bloem Water has restricted water supply to residents that often leave individuals in high-lying areas waterless. Borehole pumps meant to alleviate the problem are not maintained and are often unserviceable. In Botshabelo, poor management of tenders and financial abuse has robbed residents of their dignity, since they are still subjected to temporary VIP toilets and pit latrines. In Bloemfontein, refuse removal is intermittent, and refuse sites have become health and environmental hazards to surrounding communities. Poor roads infrastructure also remains an impediment to the communities, especially businesses. The Maselspoort Water Plant indicates a lack of maintenance and silting, which require urgent attention to prevent a day zero for residents.  

"In the towns of Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu, in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, hundreds of households still use bucket and pit toilets, which the Metro services infrequently, certainly not once a week. An emotional resident has informed us that she is now building her own sceptic tank which the municipality refuses to approve.

“While the DA continues to promote these important aspects, residents of municipalities need to take responsibility for the state of our affairs by using their votes more effectively. Where the DA governs, we have sound records of service delivery that can be used as models for excellence in the Free State. The National Minister for Cogta, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, needs to visit provinces and municipalities in the Free State and other provinces where service delivery has collapsed, and use her political influence to improve the situation instead of partaking in frivolous political factionalism, the same applies to the MEC of Cogta in the Free State, Mxolisi Dukwana, who promised improvement, but under whose watch the situation has deteriorated further. The DA will continue to hold national and provincial governments accountable where we are the opposition, and where in government we will ensure that the DA’s track record of good governance is upheld,” says Kolosa.

OFM News