16/10/2026
ANC chaos leaves three Free State municipalities without reliable water
Issued by David Mc Kay – DA Spokesperson for CoGTA in the Free State Legislature
The DA calls for immediate provincial intervention, emergency water provision, and a full, independent investigation into the failure of the ANC-run Moqhaka, Phumelela, and Ngwathe municipalities to protect residents’ constitutional right to water.
The Constitution guarantees everyone access to sufficient water. The Water Services Act requires every water-services institution to take reasonable measures to realise this right, while national norms require at least 6 000 litres per household per month, safe water within 200 metres, and a flow rate of at least 10 litres per minute. No consumer should be without water for more than seven days in a year. Yet residents are being abandoned as Provincial CoGTA watches municipal collapse unfold.
Moqhaka Local Municipality: Viljoenskroon and Rammulotsi have endured a water interruption for more than a week due to a faulty valve and pipe at the Viljoenskroon Water Treatment Works, compounded by unavailable replacement materials, leaks, and unresolved pumping problems. This follows recurring failures over roughly two years. Residents, businesses and community structures have repeatedly engaged with Council and management, demanded answers and called for an independent investigation into engineering compliance, procurement, contractor performance and transparency. Allegations of manipulated overtime or defective procurement must be independently tested, but the municipality’s failure to communicate or deliver durable repairs is indefensible.
Phumelela Local Municipality: Memel has faced persistent instability in water and electricity supply, with the latest outage beginning on 8 October, when Eskom disconnected power to the pump station due to the municipality’s outstanding account. Residents have received inadequate feedback and, outrageously, have repaired an idle generator and are paying for its fuel themselves to pump water. Essential public infrastructure cannot be allowed to fail because ANC municipal management cannot resolve debt, maintain contingency systems or communicate honestly.
Ngwathe Local Municipality: Vredefort and Parys were left without reliable water after 41 boreholes were shut down amid a payment dispute with Basieng Construction. A three-week deadline to resolve the dispute passed without a resolution. Residents are buying bottled water, reporting inadequate tank levels, and escalating concerns to the SAHRC. Reports of possible water-quality issues and procurement allegations require urgent, independent verification; ordinary residents must not pay the price for administrative failure.
CoGTA cannot hide behind meetings while communities carry water, businesses suffer, and dignity is denied. The DA demands that these municipalities be held accountable to restore a safe emergency supply immediately, publish recovery plans with deadlines, and hold every official or contractor responsible for proven misconduct. Residents have the power to stop the chaos and start the delivery by voting DA in the upcoming local government elections.
