The community of Welkom, in the Free State, is crying foul after three weeks without running water while raw sewage runs through their streets. Residents criticised the “clean cities and towns” campaign launched by Deputy President Paul Mashatile in Welkom this week. 

Bronville resident Quinton Bergman says the provincial government must put the Matjhabeng local municipality under administration for failing to provide basic services.

“They are hosting a cleaning campaign whereby the neighbouring Ward 11 (Bronville) hasn’t had running water for 15 days, and raw sewage has been blocking the Bronville Primary School entrance since November 2024. We’ve reported this to the municipality, but there’s no assistance,” says Bergman. 

“Water is important, and failure to provide it to the people is a crime. The absence of water causes a lot of issues; everything requires water to operate.”

The issue of water scarcity was first raised by the community at the Presidential Imbizo in December 2023, and residents say nothing has changed since then. Some communities, like Jerusalema Park and other parts of the town, have gone without running water for over four months. 

Another resident, Diphapang Tau, believes that the cleaning campaign is simply an attempt to distract the community from the municipality’s failures. 

“We have no service delivery in Matjhabeng. Bronville Clinic shuts down every time we do not have water. People are turned away from the clinic because there’s no water, yet someone receives a salary for doing nothing.” 

This claim is denied by Mondli Mvambi of the Free State Health Department, who says they haven’t received any report from Bronville Clinic. “The issue of water in Welkom is receiving attention from our senior managers, and so far, our facilities are doing what they are built for.”

Schools also affected 

Matjhabeng residents raised their grievances during the Deputy President’s Imbizo this week, calling on him to address the ongoing issues of poor water distribution and sanitation infrastructure.

Parents of children attending Mokgwabong and Hani Park Primary schools say the water scarcity in their area has even led to schools not preparing food for learners. 

“Learners go back home from school without a meal because of the lack of water. The municipality doesn’t have tankers. We are also asked to bring water to school. I know at Dagbreek parents donate for transport to go fetch water so that they can cook for learners,” says Puseletso Shopho, one of the parents.  

EFF councillor in the municipality, Angelina Sithole, says her party has gone as far as donating a Jojo tank to one of the schools. 

Education spokesperson, Howard Ndaba, says Matjhabeng Municipality is aware of the water issues in schools.

“We have seen the new water treatment facility that is being built in Welkom, we are hoping it will be completed soon so that our schools don’t have constant water challenges. We are glad that our schools can resolve the current challenges caused by temporary cuts,” Ndaba says.

Government must step up

Mashatile says the province needs to ensure that the people get water. 

“If water shortages cause clinics to close or not operate, you can imagine how hard life is for the people. The Premier and the municipality should find a way to fix this,” Mashatile says.

Mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha calls on residents to be patient while the municipality is working on a permanent solution.

“We are working hard to ensure that no area of Matjhabeng is experiencing water cuts. I apologise on behalf of the council. We are aware of the inconvenience caused by water inconsistency.”

It is reported that the rapid growth of the mining town affected the ailing infrastructure. A water treatment facility is being built and is expected to be finished soon. – Health-e News