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Elections 2026: Blunders in Mangaung are poisoning Free State water

While the municipality loses billions, sewage flows into rivers and residents struggle for water

A statue of former president Nelson Mandela on Naval Hill overlooks Bloemfontein. Photos: Steve Kretzmann

Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality has a water shortage, but loses almost half its water to leaks and billing failures.
None of the 13 sewage treatment plants managed by the municipality are working properly and sewage is polluting a drinking water supply dam.
Mangaung has been under administration since 2019.
The municipality returned R141-million in unspent conditional grants to the National Treasury, including R49-million earmarked for informal settlements.
Mangaung has accumulated R5-billion in unauthorised expenditure over four years, and the SIU has been ordered to investigate serious maladministration and unlawful spending.

Alongside the deeply potholed Denne Avenue on the south-eastern edge of Bloemfontein, leaking municipal water pipes…

Read More: Elections 2026: Blunders in Mangaung are poisoning Free State water.

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