The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr. Senzo Mchunu, reiterated that all taps in South Africa should have water.

“Every tap in South Africa should be having water not just in certain towns and areas”, said Mchunu.

Minister Mchunu together with Deputy Minister Mahlobo and MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Mxolisi Dukwana were briefed about the water and sanitation situation in Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality (MAP).

Among the issues raised were the municipality’s debt to the department amounting to half a billion rand, as well as sewage spillages that have engulfed the municipality.

Vandalism, theft, and ageing infrastructure were also top of the list.

MAP Local Municipality Municipal Manager, Mr. Futhuli Mothamaha said that the municipality has begun a programme of installing pre-paid meters in order to address the issue of non-collection of revenue. The municipality will build capacity for maintenance as it appeared that there is a delay between damage to infrastructure and repair.

The Minister was clear that sewage spillages are priorities and should be treated as such. A meeting should take place between DWS in the Free State as well as the municipality and Maluti-a-Phofung Water no later than 14:00 on 5 October 2021.

MEC Mxolisi Dukwana observed that there has been a rise in vandalism and theft of water and sanitation infrastructure especially leading up to the local government elections.

Source: Government of South Africa