The ANC-controlled Merafong Local Municipality (Carletonville, Fochville, Wedela) has plunged residents into a prolonged and disastrous water crisis.
Two reservoirs are completely empty while others are critically low, with an average water level of only 35%.
This is not a natural disaster, but the direct consequence of years of reckless maladministration, R1,6 billion in debt to Rand Water and a complete lack of political will to maintain basic infrastructure.
Rand Water has reduced water supply by 40% and is rightly refusing to restore it until the Municipality pays its debt. Water leaks, high summer consumption and ageing infrastructure are further exacerbating the crisis.
Current reservoir levels are shocking:
- Blybank (4 ML): 0%
- One Fochville reservoir (5 ML): 0%
- Carletonville (2,5 ML): 20%
- Other Fochville reservoirs: 30–50%
- Welverdiend/Wedela: 70% (but still under pressure)
The 007 reservoir in Carletonville has been out of operation for years due to sinkholes. Rehabilitation, which was supposed to be completed in 2024, has now been postponed to June 2026 because of contract breaches, new sinkholes and the Municipality’s financial inability to complete projects.
The Municipality has promised water tankers to help alleviate the crisis, but the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) strongly doubts whether it will be able to deliver. In fact, there are not even enough tankers to serve local schools and homes for the elderly.
The recent qualified audit opinion issued by the Auditor-General (AG) confirms that Merafong is poorly governed under the ANC and is, in effect, bankrupt. No genuine effort is made to settle debt, collect revenue or restore infrastructure.
Residents do not deserve to suffer like this.
The ANC’s failure is a disgrace and a violation of residents’ basic right to clean water.
The Freedom Front Plus will not rest, but will keep pressing for accountability.
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