Central SA
Mantsopa residents could be without water for an unknown period─── ZENANDE MPAME 12:33 Sun, 08 Feb 2026
Mantsopa municipality residents could be without water for an indefinite time after the department of labour closed the Genoa water treatment plant due to ongoing safety concerns.
The department first inspected the plant in December, and after the inspection, the department prohibited the municipality from continuing operations at the affected sites, citing compromised employee safety.
Inspectors raised serious concerns about electrical infrastructure, including open and improperly installed electrical boxes that posed a risk to workers.
Renovations
In response, the municipality undertook renovations, including electrical repairs and refurbishments at facilities in Hobhouse and Excelsior, said Mantsopa municipality DA Cllr Tim Mpakathe.
“The municipality spent approximately R2.5 million on these interventions.” Despite the reported expenditure, the department of labour conducted a follow-up visit on Thursday (5/2) and again ordered the closure of the Genoa water treatment plant, stating the municipality had still not met the required compliance standards.
“The question we are asking is what exactly did the R2.5 million achieve if the plant continues to be shut down? If there is no alternative in place, residents could be without water until the department is satisfied that all compliance issues have been addressed.”
Residents have already begun to feel the impact. Complaints about water outages in Hobhouse were reported on Wednesday afternoon, although the supply was temporarily restored later in the evening.
Ladybrand residents were given notice on Thursday, and on Saturday, there was no water in their taps. “This is the umpteenth time this year that we don’t have water,” said Ladybrand resident Werner Klindt.
“There is water in the dam, and water is available. But our municipality cannot provide us with the water. We are paying to get water; the municipal manager and the mayor have water, but the people who pay for water do not have water. Totally unacceptable.”
Another resident, Johan Coffee, said he thinks the water problem will probably drag on for a couple of days. “This time it’s not a question of a pipe that burst, and it could be rectified.
“I’m thinking of the hospital that is here, and the schools in town. What are they going to do?”
An inquiry was sent to the Mantsopa municipality manager Matiro Mogopodi.
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