According to the poster of his visit, he will deliver a keynote address at Master Nakedi Multi-purpose Centre at 15:00. 

At the moment, it remains unclear what has motivated him to make a visit to the town in question, however, Parys has been experiencing many challenges which need attention. 

A week ago, ANC supporters in Tumahole burned ANC regalia following the news that Parys-born former provincial premier and ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule has been expelled from the party.

ALSO READ: Angry ANC members burn ANC regalia after Magashule's expulsion – VIDEO

Burning of ANC’s T-shirts

ANC's spokesperson in the Fezile Dabi Region, Sello Pietersen, said the party has noted an incident by a group of people who were burning ANC T-shirts.  Pietersen said they are convinced that the majority of those involved are not ANC members and they are aware of a few members of the organisation who took an active part in this incident. The necessary internal disciplinary processes of the organisation will ensue with immediate effect. 

“We are fully aware of the intentions of this group, which is to create confusion amongst our people. We are confident that loyal and disciplined members of the ANC understand and accept the democratic and constitutional outcomes of the National Disciplinary Committee."

ALSO READ: ’Expelled ANC member left with two options’ – Free State DA

Parys’ favourite ousted from ruling party   

Now to Magashule’s expulsion. He was expelled by the party's National Disciplinary Committee after he was found guilty of contravening various rules of the ANC's Constitution. What led to Magashule's expulsion from the ANC was his failure to explain to the committee why he should not be expelled. "After his conviction by the committee, Magashule was allowed to state reasons why he should not be expelled from the ANC. After the lapse of seven days, the committee did not receive any representations in this regard,” read the ANC’s media statement.

Also read: Free State residents 'forced to fetch water from manholes'

Water challenges in the town

Now to water challenges, Tumahole’s residents were hit hard by the effects of water-shedding earlier in the year. Without tankers delivering water, residents say they are forced to take extreme measures to access water. Pictures doing rounds on social media showed senior citizens carrying buckets and fetching water from manholes around the area. In reply to the images, the mayor of the Ngwathe Municipality, Victoria de Beer-Mthombeni, said the municipality is unable to distribute water via water tankers due to "restrictions placed by residents".

"This has made it even more challenging for us to ensure that everyone has access to clean and safe water," she added. De Beers-Mthombeni said some challenges faced in providing water are due to damage to infrastructure caused by acts of criminality. 

“This has affected the progress of our project as we now have to replace the damaged materials, which has caused delays. However, I want to assure you that we are taking proactive steps to improve the situation. We are currently upgrading our water filters and building a new pipeline to ensure that our reservoirs are filled and able to meet the needs of our community."

Also read: Cholera claimed second life in Free State

Cholera hits Parys

Cholera has recently claimed at least two lives in the area. The spokesperson of the Department of Health, Mondli Mvambi, said the 42-year-old woman from Parys died on 8 June. She was admitted to the Boitumelo Hospital in Kroonstad, where she took her last breath. "Laboratory tests confirmed her death was attributable to cholera." 

The first person in the Free State to die due to cholera was a 33-year-old woman from Parys who succumbed on 25 May at the Parys District Hospital. "The Department of Health urged people to wash their hands and boil water before consuming it. If anyone experiences slight symptoms of diarrhoea, they must please go to our health facilities to get help as a matter of urgency."

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