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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mafube Local Municipality are concerned that the water supply to communities cannot be maintained. Despite the municipality having a set arrangement between Eskom and Rural Free State (RFS), water intake towers and pumping stations will not be affected by loadshedding.

Eskom has agreed to a three-month trial period, bringing the following benefits to the Mafube community:

• Loadshedding of 1.5 hours per load shedding phase; and
• All water and sanitation facilities (critical supplies) are receiving a continuous 24/7 electricity supply.

The trial arrangement has ensured a backbone supply remains on and a reduction in instances of network theft has already been verified.

Regardless of the best efforts from RFS and the business community, the municipality has been incapable of providing a continuous water supply. Residents of Frankfort, Namahadi and Cornelia have been suffering constant water outages due to the breakdown of the second water intake pump since 5 February.

Reservoir levels are not maintained and the one functioning pump is not sufficient. Daily excuses from the acting Director simply amount to “the service provider awaits spare parts”. The backup pump has been stripped for parts for the two functioning pumps. The municipality shows no effort to expedite the necessary repairs to the second pump and procure a third backup pump to ensure continuous water supply to the community as is their duty.

The DA is pressuring the municipality to urgently acquire a third backup pump to restore a continuous water supply. We have insisted in the MPAC committee that all ongoing service contracts be investigated to confirm the tender processes were followed with the awarding of the contracts to date.

Issued by Suzette Steyn - DA Councillor Mafube Local Municipality