This follows a meeting between Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu, and Matjhabeng Executive Mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha.

Muchunu says their visit followed after they received reports from the municipality of sewerage overflows. He added upon arrival at Kutlwanong Water Works they discovered that the sanitation infrastructure is lacking.

“This is the first major intervention on sanitation we are doing as a department since appointment last August. We have budgeted more than R522 million for this intervention. We are going to say to the Mayor and Councillor here; if after this intervention they don’t do operation and maintenance in terms of standards, we will take them to court. If there is no water there is no life, and if there is no water, there is no dignity.”

Mchunu says Bloem Water will be the implementing agent, and will start in less than 2 weeks with ensuring that infrastructure is rehabilitated.

Previously, OFM reported that Issues of water and sanitation across struggling municipalities in the Free State will soon to be a thing of the past.

READ MORE: Free State water and sanitation issues receive national government attention

This, after Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, announced his department’s plans for taking over these two portfolios in Free State municipalities.

OFM News/Mpho Mohapi and Bambatha Giko