By 
The Executive Committee (EXCO) of the Free State met on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, to kick-off the year, in their meeting, the committee discussed pressing issues affecting the province.
For years water supply and proper infrastructure has been a problem for residents in Matjhabeng and Maluti-A-Phofung. The Free State government has made strides to remedy the situation to ensure that water infrastructure is upgraded and that people can receive regular reliable water supply and sanitation.
According to Matshediso Setai, the Spokesperson for the Free State Provincial Government; Dr Tseliso Ntili, the Provincial Head for the Department of Water and Sanitation apprised EXCO members of the critical projects they have completed to stabilise service delivery in municipalities facing persistent challenges, such as Maluti-a-Phofung, Matjhabeng and others.
The completed projects include: • the refurbishment of the Fika Patso Water Treatment Works in Qwaqwa, • the replacement of ageing pipelines in the Tlholong Extension 4 and Kestell project • the Welbedacht Pipeline Phase 1, replacing approximately 33.8 km of pipeline and • the refurbishment of the Brandfort Wastewater Treatment Works.
“The Matjhabeng Local Municipality will also receive much-needed attention to address the persistent sewer spillages and refurbish the waste treatment infrastructure. An amount of R1.8 billion will be used in Matjhabeng to attend to the bulk collector sewers, pump stations and wastewater treatment works.
Additional projects planned for the remainder of 2025/26 and into 2026/27, such as the upgrading of the Sterkfontein Water Treatment Works and alongside the revival of the Blue Drop, Green Drop, and No Drop programmes, underscore government’s on-going dedication to infrastructure rehabilitation, improved water use efficiency, and sustainable services for all communities in the province,” said Setai.
The Food and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak has reached a magnitude that South Africa has never seen before affecting five provinces in the country, and the Free State is amongst them. The province has now recorded 238 confirmed cases; 178 suspect cases and 18 distinct outbreaks in 12 municipalities.
The EXCO deliberated on the outbreak and possible measures to curb the spread of the disease. Since the outbreak of the Foot and Mouth disease in South Africa, government has collaborated with various stakeholders to fight the spread of the infection.
“In addition to control measures such as mass vaccination and stricter movement controls, the Free State province through the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs, intends to intensify their efforts to curb further disease spread. The measures being considered will range from the procurement of vaccinations, collaboration with other stakeholders, capacitating the Kroonstad veterinary lab, deployment of vets and extensive information and awareness campaigns.
The farmers and community members are urged to stop any illegal movement of animals from areas under surveillance and report all suspect cases immediately. This is important in curbing the disease which poses a threat to the agricultural sector, food security and jobs,” said Tshediso Setai.
