Eskom declared an emergency on Thursday morning and warned of possible power cuts. Find below two links with the load shedding schedule to check which areas will be affected and when. Kindly note that there may be water disruptions due to the shedding.

Eskom customers can also log on to the site dedicated to the load-shedding for regular updates.

http://loadshedding.eskom.co.za/#

Issued by MMM Communications

Click here for the first PDF document of the LOAD SHEDDING SCHEDULE

Click here for the second PDF document of the LOAD SHEDDING SCHEDULE

Click here to download the PDF for MANGAUNG SERVICE DELIVERY LEAFLET

Click here to download the PDF for MANGAUNG SERVICE DELIVERY LEAFLET

The City Manager and her team undertook a site visit this morning to both Mockes Dam and Masselspoort. Part of what was discovered is that there are farmers who are illegally extracting water between Masselspoort and Mockes Dam. As a result, Masselspoort levels are not rising at the expected rate.

They have admitted to the illegal extraction, and they have indicated that they have three more dams overflowing with the city’s water. We also discovered that the responsible farmers are distributing water to about 10 other farm properties. It appears that this illegal extraction has been happening for some time.

The municipality is the sole distributor of water, and none of the farmers in and around the area have water rights.

We have immediately instructed our legal representatives to approach the court for an interdict. This immediate intervention will assist in ensuring that water levels at Masselspoort rise rapidly. Once the extraction has been abruptly stopped, water levels are expected to rise by Tuesday, 28 January 2014.

We have also discovered that two sluice gates at Mockes Dam were blocked by debris, and this is disrupting the flow of water. As a result, this lowers the pace of raw water filling up the Masselspoort Weir, which supplies water to the broader community of Bloemfontein. The dam level at Mockes Dam is at an all time low due to draught and the heat waves that the city is experiencing.

In our endeavour to identify the obstruction, professional divers have been commissioned and this process will happen tomorrow morning. This is a technical operation; hence the city cannot just assign anybody.

It has also come to our attention that the Democratic Alliance, which is represented in the council, has opened a case against the municipality. We have tried to get the details of what is contained in the charges, so that we respond appropriately. The city has contacted the Investigating Officer, but could not reach them by the time of releasing this statement.

In rolling out the city’s water infrastructure plan, the Metro is in the process of upgrading the old pump systems at Masselspoort. The contract was awarded to Veolia Water for R65 million (excluding VAT) following the tender process.

The contract commenced on the 19th of August in 2013. The large pumps are in the process of being manufactured and project completion is scheduled for December 2014. Some of these large pumps are being imported. These new pumps with a much higher efficiency will increase the delivery of the raw water extraction and delivery of potable water to Bloemfontein from Masselspoort.

The following refurbishment upgrades are in process:

1. Mechanical and electrical Contractual Completion – 22 October 2014
2. Refurbishment of Pump Building – Civil Contractual Completion  – 21 May 2015
3. Process upgrade to improve water quality  (In Preliminary design phase – 25 Feb 2014 Completion)

The city would like to apologise for all citizens affected by this interruption, and also appeal for patience.

Issued by:

MMM Communications

Call Centre: 0800 111 300

We are still experiencing the challenges of supplying water efficiently due to the low river level at Maselspoort.

The following areas are still affected:

• Pentagon
• Heuwelsig
• Lillyvalle
• Spitzkop

These are the high laying areas.  We must take note though that the water scarcity in our rivers that are running dry are realities that the country is facing . Water tankers are being  despatched to different areas. We have requested councillors to engage with Engineering directorate for distribution  operation of water tankers.

Maselspoort will start supplying water later today and tomorrow and full restoration can be expected tomorrow and Tuesday in worse case scenario. The city will engage DWA because there are people that withdrawing water at Maselspoort dam(upstream) this also contribute to delay of water supply to the city as their building their own dam.

The City of Mangaung has warmly welcomed one of the four teams which will be based in Bloemfontein for the 2014 Orange African Nations Championships (CHAN 2014) tournament, which kicks off on Saturday, 11 January 2014.

The Executive Mayor of Mangaung, Cllr Thabo Manyoni, joined by his Mayoral Committee and members of the Local Organising Committee, welcomed the Libyan team on Wednesday, 08 January 2014. The Ghana, Ethiopian and Congolese teams will arrive in the city from this afternoon.

At a media breakfast held on Wednesday with the Ethiopian Football Federation, the Executive Mayor also said it’s all systems go as the city is ready to host the games, which will see thousands of fans converge in Mangaung for the soccer festival.

“We are ready as the Mangaung Metro to host the games that will be starting from the 13th. We have made sure Emergency Services, Traffic and Law Enforcement, as well as all other systems are in place. All roads which need to be demarcated for use by supporters are already earmarked. We are also confident that our visitors will enjoy the hospitality from Mangaung residents,” the EM said. He further urged the public to go out in their numbers and demonstrate the flair for soccer that Mangaung citizens are known for.

“We Mangaung citizens are citizens with passion, and that love football. Let us fill up the stadium and bring the necessary vibe. All our employees from MMM must make sure they support the games. Let us go and enjoy the talent that is here in Africa, particularly from South Africa. This is the only time we can enjoy football from other African countries,” the Executive Mayor said.

Ticket prices range from R40 to R200.

The following matches will be played at the Free State Stadium:

The 06th of December 2013 signifies yet another dimension in the history of South Africa. The city of Mangaung woke up on a sad note upon hearing of the passing of the stalwart, THE ICON, THE RECONCILER AND UNIFIER, uTata Nelson Mandela.

Executive Mayor, Cllr. Thabo Manyoni, said: We are saddened but also draw solace in the life of this hero who is an embodiment of peace and reconciliation. We also draw our source of strength from the leadership he demonstrated as the leader of the ruling party, and as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.

Throughout his life, Madiba embodied humility, selflessness and patriotism – characteristics which epitomise the values of a true leader.

The city of Mangaung has a long standing relationship with the father of the nation with a number of honours bestowed upon him over the years.

It is in Mangaung where the ruling party, African National Congress, which produced Mandela, was established. In 1997, the Mangaung Transitional Council bestowed the Freedom of the City to Dr Nelson Mandela. At the same event, the main street of Bloemfontein was named after this icon. In the same year, the University of the Free State conferred a PhD degree in Law to Madiba.

The city also recently took a bold move by erecting the statue of Nelson Mandela at Naval Hill Nature Reserve. It stands as the tallest statue of Madiba in the world. This is an indication of the importance of Madiba, THE ICON, THE RECONCILER and THE UNIFIER, in the life of Mangaung Metro.

Madiba falls within the category of distinguished citizens of South Africans and his unwavering courage and selfless service towards a better South Africa will forever be etched into our memories.
We join millions of South Africans in celebrating the life of this gallant fighter of our struggle.

The city will be engaging into a number of activities in honour of Madiba. Amongst others, citizens of Mangaung and the public at large are welcome to lay wreaths at the statue of Madiba at Naval Hill. There will also be a condolence book at the statue for messages of support which will go to the Mandela family.

May his soul rest in peace!