REITZ, FREE STATE — Residents across the Nkotoane Local Municipality are raising the alarm over a deepening service delivery crisis, stating they feel betrayed and neglected by local authorities. According to community spokespersons, basic services are deteriorating on a daily basis with no clear interventions in sight, leaving communities in the far east of the Free State Province without essential infrastructure.
The primary areas of concern highlighted by resident delegations include a severe lack of reliable water, failing electricity, and poor road infrastructure. As local authorities build up to the November 4th dates, community members are sharing their daily frustrations, painting a grim picture of life in the municipality.
Unplanned Settlements and Sanitation Failures
A major focal point of the crisis is an informal settlement located in the town of Reitz. Community spokespersons explain that while the area was established with the municipality’s permission just before the last local government elections and features official stands and streets, it entirely lacks the basic services required for such a setup.
While the area has access to electricity, it is completely devoid of running water and proper sanitation. Due to a severe lack of drainage systems and piping infrastructure, residents have been forced to dig their own holes and construct self-made bucket toilet systems. These makeshift structures were built by the residents themselves, as the municipality has failed to provide proper toilets or sanitation services.
Empty Reservoirs and Vandalized Infrastructure
The water crisis remains the most pressing issue for the community. Spokespersons note that the area is geographically surrounded by three reservoirs, yet all three are completely empty, meaning no water is flowing into the community. Furthermore, the few available water taps have been vandalized and lack their opening tops, rendering them useless. According to the residents, this severe water shortage has persisted for more than three years.
Allegations of Extortion and Financial Exploitation
Beyond the physical lack of infrastructure, resident delegations have raised serious allegations regarding the distribution of the limited water that is available. While the municipality does distribute some water via tankers, community members allege that those who can afford to purchase JoJo tanks are being forced to pay 200 rand to buy water directly from the municipal trucks.
Spokespersons emphasize that this practice is highly irregular, as municipal water resources should be provided to the community for free. The combination of paying for a basic human right while living next to empty reservoirs has only deepened the residents’ feelings of neglect.
Call for Accountability
In response to the growing frustration and the specific allegations of financial exploitation and service failure, invitations have been formally extended to the Nkotoane Local Municipality. The municipality has been given the opportunity to respond to these allegations and address the myriad of issues raised by the various stakeholders and residents suffering from the ongoing crisis.
