Residents of the Hennenman and Phomolong communities in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality have endured ongoing evening water restrictions for more than 18 months.
Vaal Central Water (VCW) imposed these restrictions to maintain reservoir levels at the Ventersburg and Mmamahabane reservoirs. But added to this there are major leaks at the two key reservoirs in the area that are worsening the crisis.
“Despite repeated warnings, repairs have not been carried out. Instead, communities are forced to adapt to an inflexible schedule, while millions of litres of water are lost daily,” says Maxie Badenhorst DA councillor for this area.
The crisis is compounded by the Matjhabeng Municipality’s R6 billion debt to the VCW. This crippling debt has stalled repairs, maintenance, and contractor appointments. An arbitrator granted the VCW interim relief of R50 million. However, Matjhabeng challenged the ruling. Court hearings are only due in 2026. The VCW still threatens to cut supply to just 30%, leaving residents in constant uncertainty.
“We have previously reached out to the Free State provincial government, as they are fully aware of the water crisis in Matjhabeng, yet no meaningful intervention has been made to date,” says Badenhorst.
On 19 September, a power failure at the Riebeeckstad reservoirs resulted in the Brabant and Ventersburg reservoirs being emptied. By 21 September, taps were still dry, with Matjhabeng officials failing to provide updates or emergency water tankers. “Residents were left completely abandoned during the outage.”
The largest concern lies at the Brabant Reservoir, where a leak first reported in January 2024 remains unresolved. Recent oversight visits in September 2025 confirmed water pooling hundreds of metres away. Security officers report constant leakage whenever the reservoir is filled. The seepage has formed a dam on farmland, making it unusable. It now threatens to erode the R70 road, creating a dangerous hazard for motorists.
Farmers have even had to install private pipelines under roads at their own cost just to access their land.
Ventersburg faces a similar situation. Two large dams have formed near the R70 quarries. Another one has emerged at Hamilton Street. An underground pipeline leak from the VCW reservoir feeding Mmamahabane likely caused them. These dams did not exist before and indicate significant water losses. Beyond wastage, they pose a grave safety risk, as children may attempt to swim there during summer holidays.
The DA insists that paying residents must not suffer for municipal mismanagement. Access to water is a constitutional right. The DA is calling for immediate repairs, independent risk assessments, and a review of restrictions. These issues will also be escalated to the minister of Water and Sanitation for urgent national intervention.
The people of Matjhabeng deserve a reliable and safe water supply, says the DA. The party will continue to fight until this fundamental right is restored.
You must be logged in to post a comment.