Lentswe, Klerksdorp - Residents of Matlosana are grappling with a deepening crisis of collapsing basic services, prompting the Democratic Alliance (DA) to condemn what it describes as “serious and ongoing governance failures by the ANC-led City of Matlosana.” A statement released by DA Cllr Piet Swart, highlights widespread electricity outages, persistent water shortages, and a complete breakdown in routine maintenance, painting a bleak picture for communities across the municipality.
Residents in Ward 15, particularly those in Meiringspark, are enduring frequent electricity interruptions and have faced days with little to no water, or critically low water pressure. This situation, is “unacceptable and undermines residents’ right to reliable basic services.”
The water woes extend to communities including Songloed, DeClerqville, Elandia, and Elandsheuvel, all supplied by a separate 6ML reservoir. These areas are reportedly “repeatedly affected by ongoing feeder pipe bursts,” leading to immense hardship.
The DA estimates that approximately 2 500 households, two schools, and several local businesses are suffering from unreliable water supply, causing significant disruption to daily life and economic activity. This water crisis is not new, having persisted since mid-December 2025, with the municipality allegedly failing to implement any “sustainable, long-term solution.”
Beyond the critical utility failures, the DA statement points to a near-total absence of routine maintenance across Ward 15. This neglect manifests in:
- Dangerous and unrepaired potholes scarring the roads.
- Overgrown grass and neglected public parks.
- A lack of essential tree pruning, contributing to power outages even during mild winds.
- The municipality’s failure to properly rehabilitate roads after pipe bursts, compounding infrastructure damage.
The DA asserts that these cumulative failures place “unnecessary strain on households, disrupts schooling, and harms local economic activity.”
In response to the escalating crisis, the DA has called on the Executive Mayor and the Municipal Manager to “immediately stabilise water and electricity supply, implement a permanent solution to recurring feeder pipe failures, and restore routine maintenance services across Ward 15.”
The people of Matlosana cannot be expected to live without basic services while poor planning and weak leadership continue to hold communities back,” said Cllr Swart.
