ANCYL in Lejwaleputswa calls on Sedibeng Water Board to step down, management suspended

The African National Congress (ANC) Youth League in Lejweleputswa in the Free State has called on the Sedibeng Water Board to step down and for the entire management team to be suspended.

They say both the board and management are incompetent and failed to deliver a basic human need. Sedibeng water has cut supply to parts of the Matjhabeng and Nala municipal areas due to non-payment.

The ANC youth league handed over a memorandum of grievances to Sedibeng Water.

Youth League member in Lejweleputswa, Mayibuye Bangani says, “Water is our basic right so we cannot be denied water. Let the Board and the municipality resolve their issues. There was an agreement of payment between municipalities and Sedibeng signed before the elections. We are aware that it has complied too. But there’s an equitable share that municipalities receive because the Board wants a large sum of money, hence, they do what they are doing.”

ANCYL in Lejwaleputswa calls on Sedibeng Water board to step down

Meanwhile, residents say they are struggling without water. “The lack of water is a serious challenge to us as we cannot do anything without water,” says a resident.

Another one adds, “I’m working at Nala municipality sometimes we cannot work because of lack of water this is a serious challenge to us as well.”

The memorandum of grievances is addressed to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu, Free Stare Premier Sisi Ntombela, and CoGTA MEC Mxolisi Dukwana.

Sedibeng Water Acting CEO, Toto Molobye says they will look into issues raised by the Youth League. “We will formulate a response to them within 14 days as they have required. And we are hoping that we will provide adequate answers to all the issues that they have raised.”

The Matjhabeng Municipality owes Sedibeng Water R4.8-billion, while the Nala Municipality owes the entity R254-million.