Anger about water leads to protest
Protest action was still going on in Vredefort at the time of writing this report.
Angered residents of Vredefort and Mokwallo joined in a service delivery protest today, Wednesday 23 August, following their long and continuous struggle with municipal water supply. The town once again did not have water since Saturday, councillors reported on Monday.
Members of the police and traffic officials monitored the situation as a group of about 2 500 people gathered early today at the Vredefort Water Treatment Works, where they waited to be addressed by the Mayor. At the time of writing of this report, a group of people had moved back to town and gathered at the muncipal building.
The R59 which runs through town was closed early today on both Parys and Kroonstad side and traffic diverted. Residents were asked to avoid the central business area, and insidents of tyres burnt were reported.
Following the protest action, Ngwathe’s Executive Mayor, Cllr Victoria de Beer, on Wednesday morning said that the centrifugal pump at the booster house had been repaired now, and assured the community of Vredefort that the pump is fully operational. She added that water supply will be restored, starting from midday Wednesday 23 August.
She said the municipality recognizes the inconvenience that the water disruptions cause, and extended her apology. “I assure you that we are resolute in our commitment to providing a consistent and reliable water supply to the community,” the mayor concluded.
