Thirty years into democracy, residents of Maluti A Phofung municipality in the Free State continue to suffer from poor services due to political instability. The municipality, which includes Qwaqwa, Harrismith, and Kestel, has faced inconsistent water and electricity supply for over a decade. The government acknowledges that political instability has exacerbated the situation.
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Water and Electricity Supply Residents struggle with inconsistent water and electricity supply. Some have to walk long distances to fetch water, leading to injuries and hardships, especially for the elderly.
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Government Response The provincial government admits its failure in providing adequate water supply and is working on improving the water infrastructure. Despite national government commitments of billions of rands in 2019, the situation remains dire.
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Investment An additional R1-billion has been committed by the provincial government to stabilize the road network, sewer, and water systems in the area.
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Political Tensions Some political parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters EFF, are threatening to bring a motion of no confidence against the coalition-led municipalitys speaker, chief whip, and mayor, citing a lack of progress and continued struggles for the community.
Cooperative governance MEC Saki Mokoena expressed hope that the investment would lead to improvements in water and electricity supply in the coming weeks or months. However, residents remain frustrated with the ongoing challenges and lack of effective solutions.
