In a bid to urgently address water challenges in QwaQwa, Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has this week given stern directives to her Department and Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality to move with speed in implementing long-term solutions in QwaQwa.

A noticeable number of the pipes for the 1.4km pipeline were delivered in Phuthaditjhaba last week Tuesday. As a result, two boreholes were drilled and equipped in Kestell Section 5, in order to ensure water supply for the location and surrounds.

The drilling and equipping of the remaining pipeline will continue over the coming weekend and is expected to progress for a period of six months.

Sisulu has reiterated her plea to QwaQwa residents to exercise patience as work continues to bring about immediate relief, whilst looking at long-term solutions.

She has also sent a stern warning against criminal activities that are meant to distract progress and incite violence in communities.

“My Department together with Sedibeng Water and the municipality are working tirelessly to ensure we fix what has been broken for far too long,” she said.

“I plead with communities to work us as we fix the challenges of QwaQwa. I accept that most people have been exposed to harsh realities as a direct result of water scarcity, but this is not an excuse to turn a blind eye to criminal behaviour,” said Sisulu.

She expressed that theft of water trucks’ batteries was disappointing, but that it will enhance the resolve to continue the good work that is underway.

An investigation is currently underway and perpetrators will face the full might of the law.

In the interim, residents are called upon to use water with caution as dam levels are on a steady increase at 69,2% for the Free State province. Fika-Patso Dam on the Namahadi River remains steady at a low 10,4%.