Women with children brave an almost 2km walk to nearby hills to fetch "filthy water" from wells and streams. They share the "filthy water" with cows, sheep and frogs.

They claim the problem is ongoing. In February and March they were forced to go to the same hills in search of water after their taps ran dry.

Recently someone told the women he had spotted a snake in the water. But that did not scare them and they continued fetching water from the same area.

If a person loses their footing while walking up or down the hills with a bucket full of water on their head, they risk serious injury.

"We find ourselves in a situation where we have no alternative but to fetch this filthy water daily," Thabo Melthafa said.

Residents said no one in the Mangaung municipality had explained to them what had caused their taps to run dry.

Municipal spokesman Qondile Khedama said "the problem has been fixed".

"The cause of the problem was a burst water pipe and it has been fixed," he said.

Comments

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Wed Jun 19 05:00:06 SAST 2013 ::

May 31, 2012

somaartakeit

'Filthy' water nightmare
RESIDENTS of Botshabelo in Free State
-------------------------------------
Viva Ace Magushule and team show dem the poor that they don't matter they only matter as vote fodders, btw was it 100mil spent on anc party in January this in Free State? whilst the poor drink dirty water? you go anc put these peasants in their place,
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May 31, 2012

TheMrs01

And yet money is wasted on parties,, i am one angry south african citizen...
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May 31, 2012

Ganyane2

Beta lyf 4 all, Zuma in power Viva

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May 31, 2012

somaartakeit

the anc's election slogan should be, we will give you dirty water for your votes, at least the people can appreciate the truth, cause that is what it boils down to.
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May 31, 2012

lebloza

Yes I agree with you TheMrs01.

Can you imagen as we speek now since monday Polokwane International Airport not having water.

What kind of leadership we have?

I thingk some of Premier's they have to step down, like our comrade Cassel he must just go
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May 31, 2012

Pitseng

@ All

Are shocked that this happens to them i really sorry for them but this doesnot happen because you are in Free State. This is how SA operates and you just need to get used to it. For you is better because you have tasted tap water for the past three week or so, there are people in Eastern Cape, Limpopo who never had that opportunity to taste tap water, there worste part is that even in hospitals

@ Sowetan

Kindly guys give yourself time and go to Eastern Cape in the area called Mouth Fletcher and see how people are living there, areas to visit, Tsekong, Kgalatsu, Pitseng, Moroka and see for yourself & hospital check where do they get water from.
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May 31, 2012

Pitseng

At least people are without water while others chow 1 million in two months, thats SA
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May 31, 2012

BaleliM

Am sure the millions for the food and entertainment can go a long way to alleviate the current situation in this community.
But then again, the govt does not care until you have to cast the vote and unfortunately many will endorse them right back to do more damage.
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May 31, 2012

Stupidist

Viva ANC!!!!!!!
GR8 Job !!!!!!People are getting what they voted for Viva ANC all the way to a bankrupt country ....

Implement the Toll roads raise Taxes .....We wait until the people of this country gets fed up with this nonsense.....

Even when a blind man gets led my a blind man , he will get weary if he does not reach his destination...
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May 31, 2012

Printa

People have grown lazy and useless all of a sudden. Get to the spring fountant where the stream begins. Secure the place allowing some water out for animals and dring the clean one from the ground.


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