Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Setswana by Barnard Manne
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Madibeng stands with the residents of Centreville in Letlhabile Ward 38, who on Monday, 15 September, took to the streets in protest over the decade-long collapse of their water supply. For more than ten years, taps in Centreville have run dry, leaving the community without reliable access to clean water.
Public Order Policing responded to the demonstration with tear gas, and more than five residents were arrested (see photos here and here). The community had called for Madibeng Local Municipality Mayor, Douglas Maimane, to address them directly. Instead, Municipal Manager Quit Kgatla met with residents and promised that boreholes would be dug with immediate effect (see photo here).
This crisis is yet another reminder of how the ANC-run Madibeng Municipality consistently neglects residents, only responding when communities resort to protest action. Just last week, the municipality admitted on Facebook that a faulty pump at the Raw Water Plant had caused major water interruptions across Damonsville, Mothotlung, parts of Mmakau, Rabokala, Oskraal, Letlhabile, and Maboloka. Yet, days later, many of these areas remain without water, proof of the municipality’s failure to maintain critical water infrastructure.
The DA in Madibeng will hold the municipality accountable to ensure the promised boreholes in Centreville are delivered without delay. Should the crisis persist, we will escalate the matter to the provincial government.
The people of Madibeng have suffered poor service delivery under the ANC for far too long. In the 2026 Local Government Elections, they will have the opportunity to choose a government that delivers accountable, reliable services. Only the DA can provide that change.