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The DA has written to both the Free State (FS) MEC for COGTA, Mr Ketso Makume, and the Premier, Mr Mxolisi Dukwana, urging provincial government to intervene in the water crisis in Parys and Tumahole in the Ngwathe Municipality.

Residents in Parys and Thumahole have been without access to clean water for up to 16 days in some areas. In some cases, electricity has also been disrupted outside of normal load-shedding. This issue is quickly becoming a serious disaster that threatens the lives and livelihoods of residents. Urgent intervention is required by the provincial government to ensure that the livelihoods, health and safety of residents are not compromised any further.

Lack of clean running water especially concerning following the recent cholera outbreaks, which have resulted in several fatalities. The Bill of Rights and the Water Services Act is meant to guarantee every person in South Africa the right to access basic water and sanitation services. The lack of access to potable water is a serious human rights violation and greatly increases the risks of waterborne diseases.

Many residents, some of whom are vulnerable and senior citizens, complain that they have not been offered alternative access to water and are facing serious crises. We also suspect that water infrastructure is interfered with and that access to water is used as a political instrument to target some communities and cause unrest in this municipality.

The DA calls on the FS provincial government for the fair distribution of available water, that the necessary infrastructure is put in place to ensure access to reliable, safe water for residents and that the health and safety of all residents are respected.

Issued by Roy Jankielsohn - DA Free State Leader