Some Mangaung residents are panicking after receiving messages which allege that the water is contaminated.
This comes after two Bloemfontein women died this month as a result of an unknown virus allegedly due to contaminated water. According to spokesperson of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Qondile Khedama, the message causes unnecessary panic. He explains that maintenance of infrastructure may at times cause the water to be brownish, but he insists that the water remains consumable.
“We must indicate that from time to time, the water is going through tests from our specialist and technicians. The hoax messages that are sent to residents are aiming at causing unnecessary panic. We are appealing to members of the community to wait for an official comment from the municipality either than listening to all these types of messages,” he says.
Khedama says they try their best to ensure a constant water supply and to reassure residents that the municipality has the capacity to deal with water shortages. According to him, Mangaung is ready for the festive season and there will be officials on standby.
REFILWE GAESWE
