Residents across multiple towns in the Matjhabeng Municipality are facing a severe water crisis as ageing infrastructure, persistent leaks, and poor municipal maintenance leave thousands without reliable access to water.

Hennenman has been without water for more than a week, while communities in Welkom, Odendaalsrus and Virginia report unresolved leaks that have lasted for months, with some bleeding valves wasting water for more than 105 days.

The crisis has exposed critical failures in municipal service delivery, including a lack of essential equipment, inadequate repair materials and apparent absence of accountability in maintenance programmes.

Over the weekend, residents were expected to provide grinders, extension cords and electricity for the water team to complete repairs – Badenhorst

Maxie Badenhorst, DA councillor for Hennenman, says the problems initially started in Breed Street, where residents were left without water for more than a week.

“Residents were first informed that the issue was located within private properties, only for a major leak later to be discovered by a resident, not by the municipality. It took another two days before the leak was properly identified and excavated for repairs,” she says.
Strike action in Phomolong further delayed the process, as workers allegedly struggled to report for duty.
“Over the weekend residents were expected to assist with grinders, extension cords and electricity for the water team to be able to repair leaks. A major concern is that whenever there is a leak or burst pipe anywhere in Hennenman, the water supply to the entire town is shut down instead of isolating only the affected section. This leaves all residents without water and completely reliant on neighbours with boreholes and water tanks for access to basic water needs,” says Badenhorst.

Manie Pretorius, FF Plus councillor in Matjhabeng, confirms that residents’ frustration is increasing daily. He says local contractors also cause damage to existing water infrastructure during the replacement of sewer pipes.
“The municipality is struggling to make the necessary equipment available, while delays in approving workers’ overtime are delaying further repairs,” he says.
The situation is further aggravated by ongoing evening water closures by Vaal Sentralwater, which together with continuous municipal water interruptions have created difficult living conditions for residents. Residents have been left without adequate emergency relief, such as water tankers.
Pretorius says the time has come for contractors to be held accountable, for the municipality to make the necessary equipment available and for service delivery to be prioritised.
The crisis highlights the need for proper infrastructure maintenance, adequate operational resources, transparent communication and long-term investment in Hennenman’s water network.

What started as isolated leaks have now become permanent rivers running through our streets – Steyn

René Steyn, DA chief whip, says burst pipes and leaking infrastructure have been left unattended for years across the town.

“What started as isolated leaks have now become permanent rivers running through our streets,” Steyn says.

At the Magistrates’ Court in Heeren Street, a leaking valve has poured thousands of litres of water into the road for weeks.

“Councillors report leaks, areas without water, leaking valves, damaged infrastructure and faulty meters. Yet the same issues remain unresolved for months and years while residents are left to suffer the consequences,” Steyn says.

Estelle Dansey, DA councillor from Odendaalsrus, says a significant portion of the town’s water supply has been lost through leaks before reaching consumers. Harmony Gold Mine partnered with the municipality to repair several leaks along the Phakisa pipeline.

“Residents argue that the responsibility of maintaining water infrastructure and ensuring reliable water supply rests with the municipality, particularly as consumers continue to pay for services,” Dansey says.

Over the past two years, more than five homes have been destroyed by fires in Odendaalsrus. Community members said the lack of available water for firefighting operations contributed to the severity of the incidents.

Bleeding valves and fire hydrants have reportedly been left running continuously for over 105 days, resulting in the loss of clean drinking water – Du Plessis

Hansie du Plessis, DA councillor, said water leakages and infrastructure failures in Virginia have remained unattended for periods ranging from several weeks to more than 100 days.

“Bleeding valves and fire hydrants have reportedly been left running continuously for over 105 days, resulting in the loss of clean drinking water,” Du Plessis says.

Residents have been instructed to purchase their own valves because the municipality cannot provide the necessary materials.

“The electrical and water departments are currently forced to share a single TLB, making effective service delivery nearly impossible.”

Residents are calling for urgent intervention, sustainable maintenance programmes and greater accountability to ensure reliable access to water.