Free State rejects water shortage claims

The Free State's Mantsopa municipality on Wednesday dismissed the DA's allegations that Tweespruit residents had been without water for days.

"That is not true at all," the municipality's spokesman David Mokoatsi said.

"The councillor does not even live in the area. She just wants to create havoc by blowing things out of proportion."

Water supply had been cut for short periods of time and then restored, he said.

The Democratic Alliance councillor, Tania Halse, said residents had been without water for five days because the Lovedale Dam had dried up.

She said only two of the seven boreholes supplying the town with water were operational.

"The municipality failed to respond to the crisis effectively and have neglected to communicate with the affected communities."

Halse wrote to the municipal manager asking for permanent water points in the affected areas.

"I have also requested him to table a plan in council on how the municipality will replace and repair the pumps and boreholes."

Mokoatsi admitted that the dam had dried up, causing water shortages.

"Lack of rain caused the dam to dry up. It is a problem we cannot avoid."

He said the municipality had been using the boreholes to fill up the reservoir.

"While filling up the reservoirs we cut water for some time in the communities."

The affected areas had been made aware of the water shortages and asked to use water wisely.

Mokoatsi said the municipality had taken measures to ensure there was water.

"We are currently upgrading and fixing boreholes that have been dysfunctional."