Every day, Matjhabeng residents face a major water crisis. Either the taps are dry, or mud and sludge pour into baths and basins when taps are opened.
According to experts in the community, these problems can only be addressed if major water leaks are immediately repaired and monitoring systems are urgently implemented.
Jessica Nel, DA councillor in Matjhabeng, says a recent oversight inspection revealed shocking levels of water wastage, whilst residents suffer from water shedding and prolonged periods without supply.
Nel emphasised that Matjhabeng’s failure to respond to massive water leakages is completely unacceptable.
“In ward 36 (Odendaalsrus), I identified several critical sites where clean water is being wasted daily. These include the Thusanong District Hospital reservoir, where thousands of litres of water have been running to waste for months. Although two expensive quotations were submitted to the provincial government, a simple, cost-effective solution involving JoJo tanks could have been implemented at a fraction of the price”
Jessica Nel, DA Ward Councillor
“In ward 36 (Odendaalsrus), I identified several critical sites where clean water is being wasted daily. These include the Thusanong District Hospital reservoir, where thousands of litres of water have been running to waste for months. Although two expensive quotations were submitted to the provincial government, a simple, cost-effective solution involving JoJo tanks could have been implemented at a fraction of the price,” she said.
Nel says that in 7de Laan, a municipal non-funded housing project, a leaking connection point continuously spills water. A basic tap installation would resolve the problem, yet nothing has been done.
Another issue is at Hospital Park (Baron and Antimoon Streets), where a massive veld leakage has poured clean water into gutters and storm drains for weeks without repair.
“These examples reflect a wider pattern across Matjhabeng where leaks are ignored when no immediate solution is found, or responsibility is shifted between municipal, district, and provincial authorities. The result is an enormous wastage of safe, costly drinking water − literally money down the drain”
Jessica Nel, DA Ward Councillor
“These examples reflect a wider pattern across Matjhabeng where leaks are ignored when no immediate solution is found, or responsibility is shifted between municipal, district, and provincial authorities. The result is an enormous wastage of safe, costly drinking water − literally money down the drain,” she says.
Although a WhatsApp reporting group exists for councillors, officials, and Vaal Central Water (VCW), it is largely ineffective. Reports are ignored, accountability is lacking, and residents continue to be without water.
This neglect directly undermines the formal motion tabled by DA councillor René Steyn earlier this year, and which the Council adopted.
The motion called for:
■ Rapid response to water leaks and burst pipes.
■ Proper road restoration after pipe repairs.
■ Capacity building in the Infrastructure Department.
■ Regular reporting and accountability on water issues.
■ Oversight by the Water Crisis Ad Hoc Committee.
“Despite the council’s adoption, the necessary measures have not been implemented, demonstrating the municipality’s disregard for its own commitments and duty to residents. We demand, among other measures, the immediate deployment of emergency teams to address major leaks,” says Nel.
“A WhatsApp group focused solely on emergency leaks and bursts must be implemented, and transparent monitoring of response times and repair progress must be addressed. Water problems must be escalated to provincial authorities where officials fail to act, and there must be accountability enforcement for officials who neglect their duties.
“It is unacceptable that preventable municipal mismanagement, not drought, causes water shortages. We will persist until Matjhabeng addresses the leaks and restores reliable water service to all residents,” says Nel.
