Residents throughout the Free State face an ongoing water crisis daily, with some municipalities experiencing dry taps for days on end.
Last week, reports emerged that Winburg is facing “Day Zero”, with no intervention in sight.
Urgent action sought
The ongoing Monyakeng water crisis has been referred to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) as a matter of urgency through intergovernmental processes, calling for urgent, coordinated action.
Cllr David Ross states that for the past two months, residents in Monyakeng have experienced intermittent water supply, resulting in significant hardship. The municipality’s lack of decisive action has compelled the DA in Nala Municipality to approach COGTA, utilising the party’s member of the provincial legislature to highlight the severe situation facing Monyakeng’s residents.
Ross explains that a review of water supply issues affecting both Wesselsbron and Monyakeng reveals critical problems at the Riebeeckstad Reservoir. This facility provides water not only to portions of Matjhabeng Municipality, but also to Wesselsbron and Monyakeng, which fall under Nala Municipality’s jurisdiction.
Infrastructure failures plague multiple areas
The Monyakeng region has been subjected to sporadic water interruptions primarily due to pipeline leaks, low reservoir levels, and deteriorating infrastructure. The escalating failure to provide reliable water access to Nala’s residents poses a direct threat to the livelihoods of both local businesses and community members.
In response to the worsening situation, an urgent letter has been submitted to Administrator Amos Goliath, outlining several proposals to resolve these challenges. The correspondence has also been copied to Cogta.
The proposals specifically address difficulties in managing the municipality with an unfunded budget and the absence of a revenue enhancement plan required by National Treasury. The DA in Nala Municipality has put forward initiatives designed to strengthen financial viability and improve accountability.
Tokologo faces extended outages
In Tokologo Local Municipality, the water situation is dire. A call for urgent intervention has been sent to the Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the national Department of Water and Sanitation, demanding immediate restoration of water supply in ward 3 after over two weeks of total disruption affecting Dealesville and Dikgalaope.
“The municipality’s excuse of broken borehole pumps and unavailable spare parts is hollow. What is more damning is the absence of any contingency plan. There have been no water tankers, no emergency relief, and no effort to ease the suffering of the poor. Instead, residents have been abandoned to thirst, disease, and indignity,” states Cllr Hismajesty Maqhubu, DA councillor in Tokologo.
Leadership accountability questioned
Maqhubu reports that the community expected answers, but the mayor, who is also the ward councillor for the affected area, failed to demonstrate leadership and accountability.
“He cancelled the long-awaited community meeting, offering only vague, partisan reasons. This act of evasion is a betrayal of trust and a slap in the face of the very people he was elected to serve.”
“We demand the immediate restoration of water supply in Ward 3 and a clear, time-bound plan to prevent future crises. We also call for accountability from the Mayor and Tokologo Local Municipality for failing to discharge their constitutional obligations,” Maqhubu continued.
Constitutional rights under threat
“This is about more than water. It is about justice, dignity, and the survival of our people. The Constitution states that everyone has the right to sufficient water. Tokologo Local Municipality has failed, and ward 3 will not remain silent,” Maqhubu emphasised.
The councillor has called upon civil society, churches, and human rights defenders to support ward 3 residents, urging every resident to raise their voice against the injustice.
Matjhabeng struggles continue
In Matjhabeng, the water crisis deepens, with residents posting desperate appeals on local WhatsApp groups for weeks now. Messages such as “Pinkster Protestante Church in Welkom no water for weeks now, cannot even fill up the JoJo tank – please send water tanke,r” are falling on deaf ears.
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Severe water restrictions and dry taps are being experienced throughout the municipality, with the worst situation being reported in Welkom itself. The taps in this city have been sporadically dry since November 2025.
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