DA mayoral candidate Werner Pretorius inspected pools in Ashbury, Bloemanda and Botshabelo, describing them as “green, foul-smelling and unusable.” He said vandalism at the Ashbury pump station had left the facility inoperable, while the Bloemanda pool was also closed.

“These amenities are supposed to serve thousands of residents, yet they are neglected and unsafe,” he told reporters.

In Botshabelo, where an estimated 200,000 people live, Pretorius noted there is no functioning public pool at all. “With rising summer temperatures expected to reach 35 to 40 degrees, it is unacceptable that such a large community has no recreational facility.”

The DA candidate argued pools should be maintained and opened annually by 1 September, ahead of the summer season. “It must be a political commitment: every year, on the first of September, our public swimming pools are open, and they are blue, not green.”

He added  partnerships with institutions such as the University of the Free State, Motsoaledi College and local schools could ensure better access for young people, particularly during exam periods when recreational breaks are vital for mental health.

The visit also revealed major problems at the Wepener wastewater treatment plant. Pretorius said he would formally request the responsible deputy minister to inspect the wastewater treatment plants in Mangaung, which have been left inoperable.

The abandoned Selosecha recreational facilities. Photo supplied

“What we saw today (in Wepener) is unacceptable. Children are exposed to contaminated areas, cattle graze near sewage, and households are surrounded by unsafe conditions. This is a direct threat to health, livelihoods and the environment.”

He added the situation in Wepener highlighted “total disintegration of local government,” with roads in disrepair, sporting facilities abandoned, and the local swimming pool unsafe. “Pump stations are spilling millions of litres of untreated water into the environment. This is life-threatening neglect.”

Pretorius’s comments come amid broader concerns about municipal management in Mangaung, which has faced repeated interventions from national government over financial mismanagement and service delivery failures. The DA says restoring basic amenities such as swimming pools would signal a commitment to residents’ quality of life and help rebuild trust in local governance.

Police have also warned vandalism of municipal infrastructure, including pump stations, is on the rise, further complicating efforts to keep facilities open. Pretorius insists political will and community partnerships are key to reversing the decline.

He outlined plans for partnerships with the private sector, provincial and national government departments, including social development and sports, arts and culture. He said swimming pools could host structured youth programmes, offering life skills training alongside recreation. 

“Children can spend the day at the pool, but for two or three hours they should be engaged in programmes that transfer skills.”

A neglected pool in Wepener. Photo supplied

He pointed to examples from the Western Cape, where young people are trained annually in first aid and lifesaving. “If we can bring in cohorts of youth from Botshabelo, Thaba Nchu and surrounding areas, and give them certificates in lifesaving and first aid, it opens doors for employment opportunities across South Africa.” 

He argued that such initiatives could help reduce drowning incidents, which often occur in rivers, dams and quarries during summer.

Beyond recreation and safety, the restoration of the Botshabelo pool could stimulate local economic growth. Events hosted at the facility could attract private investment and create jobs, while also strengthening community cohesion. “This is about social development, skills transfer and giving our children the opportunity to learn to swim from a young age,” he said.

OFM News/Siyakholwa Mbatyazwa sm

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