Press statement by Maureen Scheepers: Councillor in eMalahleni Local Municipality
Following our picket in Ogies and Phola this past Saturday, the Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes Glencore’s intention to undertake the necessary repairs and restore water supply in these areas. However, we will continue holding the Municipality accountable to ensure action is taken within stated timeframes.
In an official communique that was issued by the municipality on the 20th of April 2026, it was announced that there will be a water supply interruption on the Ogies and Phola bulk supply line from 23-24 April 2026, as Glencore committed to carrying out the necessary repairs.
This development comes less than 48 hours after the DA conducted a community picket in Ogies, where we stood alongside residents to demand urgent intervention, accountability, and clear communication regarding the ongoing water crisis in Ogies and Phola.
For months, residents have endured prolonged water outages, recurring leaks, and a complete lack of meaningful feedback from the municipality. During our engagement with the community, the DA called for exactly what has now been announced:
Immediate maintenance and repairs to the failing water infrastructure
Transparent communication to residents regarding outages and timelines
We therefore welcome this step as it comes from a direct response to the community’s pressure and the DA’s advocacy. It demonstrates that when residents stand together and their voices are amplified, action can follow.
However, this must not be a once-off intervention. The DA will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure that:
Repairs are completed within the stated timeframes
Water supply is restored reliably
Long-term solutions are implemented to prevent recurring failures
Residents deserve dignity, reliable basic services, and consistent communication. The events of this past weekend shows that active citizenship, backed by strong opposition, can drive change.
This is the DA difference: we do not remain silent while communities suffer – we act, we stand with residents, and we demand results.