A SIMPLE SOLUTION TO THE WATER CRISIS

During late 2024 Mafube Business Forum (MBF) engaged with the management of Mafube Local Municipality (MLM) and made wide-ranging proposals regarding water supply to the community. These proposals were intended to alleviate the ongoing water supply crisis and provided a number of workable solutions to ensure a sustainable quality service to the community.

These proposals include:

• MBF are in a position to assist MLM with the compilation and maintenance of a comprehensive Water Services Development Plan (WSDP), to be aligned with the Integrated Development Plan (IDP). The WSDP is vital for the management of water resources and is a legal requirement.

• The Auditor General’s Report for Mafube, reflect a material loss of R37 200 047 for the 2020/2021 financial year (the most recent AG Report available) for water provision, which in all likelihood have increased if the high cost of maintaining the water infrastructure and paltry collection rate is taken into account.  In light of this unsustainable loss incurred by MLM, serious consideration must be given to the appointment of an external Water Services Provider (WSP).

• The proposed amendments to the National Water Act make provision for the Minister to force a separation of water services function from the municipal administration where there is a persistent failure to meet license conditions (as in the case of MLM), and require a municipality (as WSA) to contract with a licensed WSP. MBF are of the view that MLM should be proactive in this regard and without delay engage with WSPs to determine the best outcome for the municipal community.

• The appointment of external WSPs is already commonplace in successful municipalities and have achieved optimal results such as at our neighbouring Naledi (Heidelberg) and Midvaal (Meyerton) local municipalities, where Blue- and Green Drop status are regularly achieved.

• MBF proposed to cooperate with MLM to make full use of an opportunity to secure funding from Infrastructure SA (ISA) and have made a submission on behalf of MLM. In their usual lax manner, the Municipal Manager Mothusi Lepheana and Technical Director Sebeane Thejane neglected to meet their simple obligation to provide a confirmation letter by the closing date – the community of Mafube thus lost out on a grant of more than R600 million.

• It is disappointing that the current municipal management team continue to plod along in the same manner as before, ignoring the recommendations of not only MBF but also those of the Parliamentary Select Committee, the SA Human Rights Commission, Department of Water and Sanitation. In addition, MLM, through their negligence and lack of political will, continue to be “in breach of the constitutional, legislative and regulatory obligations towards their residents” as found by the Bloemfontein High Court.

MBF invite residents, business owners and ratepayers to visit our offices at 18A Kerk Street, Frankfort on Mondays to Thursdays from 08h30 to 16h00 and Fridays 08h30 to 12h00. Call or send a WhatsApp message to Marina at 079 145 4295. Visit our website www.mafubebf.org and follow us on Facebook.