Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Soret Viljoen
Residents of the Tswaing Local Municipality, including those in wards across Ottosdal, Letsopa, Delareyville, Sannieshof, Agisanang, Mofofutso, Atamelang, Gannalaagte, Kopela, Vriesgewacht, and Khunwana, are demanding immediate action to address the water crisis caused by the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality’s failure to maintain boreholes.
Despite receiving R159 million from National Treasury for the financial year, the municipality has failed to ensure functional boreholes, leaving many residents without reliable access to water.
In Delareyville, only 4 out of 20 boreholes are operational, and even these face frequent pipeline bursts on the R507, disrupting water supply multiple times a week. Ottosdal has 34 boreholes, with 19 non-functional. Sannieshof has 13 boreholes, but 8 are not working, and 2 were closed due to E-coli contamination. In Gannalaagte and Kopela, none of the 5 and 10 boreholes, respectively, are operational. Meanwhile, critical water projects in these areas have stalled indefinitely.
This ongoing failure forces residents to carry water buckets as dry taps leave households and businesses struggling daily. The silence from Tswaing’s leadership, including Municipal Manager Sello Maroga and Mayor Norah Mahlangu, increases frustrations. Despite receiving photos and video evidence of the crisis, Sello Maroga remained oblivious to the fact that Delareyville residents had been without water for days.
The DA supports residents’ petition calling for urgent repairs to all boreholes before the festive season begins. Ensuring fully operational boreholes would eliminate the need for water rationing and provide consistent water supply to taps.
The DA is escalating the matter by supporting residents in bringing their concerns and demands to the Tswaing Local Municipality, Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, MEC for CoGHTA Molapisi, and Premier of North West, Lazzie Mokgosi. The petition will also be handed over to the Deputy Minister, Sello Seitlholho, to demand accountability and immediate intervention.