The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is deeply concerned about the safety of drinking water in Witsand and Port Beaufort in the Hessequa Local Municipality after independent water samples, taken at several points, confirmed that the water does not comply with the prescribed standards.
According to an independent, SANAS-accredited report compiled on 10 April 2026, the bacteria E. coli, enterococci and total coliforms were detected at three separate points in the Witsand area.
The high levels of these bacteria indicate severe faecal contamination, posing a serious and immediate risk to humans and animals.
Additionally, the report shows that the free chlorine residual levels at all sample points were below the minimum required level. This confirms severe shortcomings in potable water disinfection.
It has also come to the Freedom Front Plus’s attention that the chlorination dosing device serving the area may not be fully operational. If this is indeed the case, it means that residents have been supplied with water that has not been properly disinfected for quite some time.
The Freedom Front Plus believes that as the water services authority, Hessequa has a statutory duty to supply residents with safe drinking water. When a health risk arises, immediate, transparent and decisive action should be taken.
The Freedom Front Plus, therefore, proposes the following urgent solutions:
- Issuing an immediate warning to Witsand and Port Beaufort residents not to use the water as is, but to boil it before consuming it in any way.
- Urgently repairing or replacing the chlorination dosing device.
- Independently investigating the cause of the device’s failure.
- Daily water monitoring and publicly disclosing test results.
- Providing emergency water supply to residents by means of water tankers or bottled water until the issue has been resolved.
- Launching a comprehensive investigation into maintenance, contractors, budgets and any administrative failures that may have contributed to the problem.
The Freedom Front Plus has already sent a formal letter to the Hessequa Municipality, demanding a written response within 24 hours and a comprehensive action plan within 48 hours.
Residents’ health and safety must always come first. No community should be provided with water potentially posing a health risk.
Freedom Front Plus Parliamentary Presence: It has seats in the National Assembly and various provincial legislatures.
Slug-em-dog
Fun South African Fact: There are 11 official languages, each with equal status, in South Africa
Pluto
Bliksem – to hit. This is a derogative term meaning to hit or punch someone.Example: “I’ll bliksem you!”