DA Mafube Hails Resumption of Ntswanatsatsi Reservoir Project to Ease Water Woes in Cornelia
Frankfort, South Africa – 28 October 2025 – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mafube Local Municipality has welcomed the restart of the long-delayed reservoir construction in Ntswanatsatsi, also known as Cornelia, calling it a vital step to fix the area’s water troubles. The project, which ground to a halt in 2024, has left locals struggling with unreliable supplies, forcing many to rely on tankers or boreholes. DA councillor Fako Tsotetsi says his party’s constant push, including council questions and a community petition, played a key role in getting work back on track. With costs pegged at over R18 million and funded through national grants, the 4.5 megalitre reservoir aims to boost storage and pressure for thousands of households.
This development comes amid broader water challenges in the Free State municipality, where ageing pipes, leaks, and low dams have sparked protests and health concerns. Residents hope the project’s completion will bring lasting relief, but experts warn that without wider fixes, like repairing unused boreholes, the crisis could drag on.
Background on the Ntswanatsatsi Reservoir Project
The Ntswanatsatsi reservoir project is part of efforts to upgrade water infrastructure in Mafube, a rural area covering towns like Frankfort, Villiers, Tweeling, and Cornelia. Started as a Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) initiative from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), it involves building a 4.5 megalitre (ML) concrete reservoir to store and distribute clean water more reliably.
The structure, designed to hold enough for daily needs in Cornelia and nearby spots, includes pumps, pipes, and connections to homes. Budgeted at R18 377 978 in municipal reports, it ties into other works like installing 102 household taps in Tweeling and 188 in Qalabotjha near Villiers. The goal is to cut reliance on old systems that often fail due to low pressure or contamination.
Mafube, in the Fezile Dabi District, serves about 57 000 people across farms and small towns. Water comes mainly from the Vaal River via the Liebenbergsvlei Water Treatment Plant, but breakdowns and overuse have caused shortages. The reservoir will act as a buffer, storing treated water to keep supplies steady during repairs or dry spells.
Reasons for the 2024 Halt and Ongoing Water Crisis
Work on the reservoir stopped in 2024, leaving it unfinished and worsening local water access. While exact reasons are not fully public, municipal updates point to contractor delays, funding hiccups, and supply chain snags – common in rural projects. One report mentioned a R66 million total for related water works in Cornelia, suggesting the halt hit a bigger scheme.
The stoppage left Ntswanatsatsi and Cornelia residents without steady tap water, relying on municipal tankers that often arrive late or run dry. This has led to health risks, like using unsafe sources, and daily hardships for cooking, cleaning, and farming. In Frankfort and Namahadi, similar issues include leaking reservoirs and eight unused boreholes meant for emergencies but left idle.
The crisis peaked in recent months, with protests in Mafube over empty taps. On 16 October 2025, the municipality restored some supplies after fixes, but low levels persisted. A September DA inspection found a leaking dam in Frankfort losing millions of litres daily, and boreholes not connected due to poor planning. These problems infringe on rights to clean water under Section 27 of the Constitution, forcing families to buy bottled water or travel far for basics.
Climate factors add pressure: The Free State has faced drier seasons, dropping dam levels like Vaal to below 80%. Combined with old pipes losing up to 40% of water through leaks, the system struggles to meet demand. Municipal audits show Mafube spent millions on emergency tankers, draining budgets needed for long-term repairs.
DA’s Role in Pushing for Resumption
The DA says its watchdog efforts were key to restarting the project. Through councillor Tsotetsi, the party sent official letters to the former municipal manager and raised the issue in council meetings. “We have continuously engaged the municipality through official communications… and raised the matter persistently in council,” Tsotetsi noted.
Beyond formal channels, the DA ran a petition drive to rally residents, gathering signatures to demand action. This pressure, they claim, forced officials to act. “It is mainly through the persistent pressure exerted by the DA that this project is now back on track,” the statement reads.
The party’s involvement fits its broader push for better services in Mafube. In September 2025, DA members inspected sites and called for urgent fixes, like using the idle boreholes during shutdowns. Earlier, in May 2025, Tsotetsi highlighted the stalled R66 million project, warning of dry taps in Cornelia. These actions align with the DA’s “One Nation with One Future” vision, focusing on fairness and opportunity.
While the ANC-led municipality handles day-to-day operations, the DA’s opposition role has spotlighted failures. Recent handovers of other Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) projects in August 2025, like roads and sewers, show progress elsewhere, but water remains a sore point.
Current Status and Community Impact
As of 20 October 2025, the municipality confirmed ongoing work to improve supplies in Frankfort, Namahadi, Cornelia, and Ntswanatsatsi. The reservoir restart is part of this, with teams on site to speed up completion. No exact end date is set, but the DA hopes for quick progress without more delays.
For locals, the crisis has been tough. In Cornelia, a farming hub, unreliable water hurts crops and livestock, hitting incomes. Schools and clinics face hygiene issues, raising disease risks. Women and children often fetch water, adding to daily burdens.
The project, once done, could serve thousands, improving pressure and quality. It ties into national goals under the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan, aiming for universal access by 2030. In Fezile Dabi, similar upgrades include new pipes and treatment boosts.
Looking Ahead: Ensuring No More Interruptions
The DA vows to keep watching: “We will continue to monitor this project’s progress to ensure no further interruptions occur.” They urge transparency on timelines and budgets to avoid past mistakes.
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