Service delivery chaos

Residents of Carletonville extensions 8 and 9 complained that their refuse was piling up from Monday, 26 June.
Although it frustrated them considerably, and several of these ratepayers and their ward councillor, Mr Carlos Rebelo, complained to the municipality, the magnitude of the problems only became clear the following day.
The municipality issued a notice to the public on 27 June, saying seven of its trucks had broken down, and the two remaining trucks were overheating. As a result, refuse removal could not continue.
The municipality said it was “working on amending the schedule, which they would communicate in due course”.
However, the municipality never circulated another schedule and did not remove the refuse in the area for over a week. Residents are, understandably, furious, considering Merafong had increased its refuse removal tariffs by six per cent from 1 July.
“We don’t pay for people who just lie around and do nothing.
“This is a dire situation. The municipal government feels nothing for Carletonville,” one of the many upset residents complained on social media.
The absence of refuse removal led to a considerable increase in illegal dumping in the area. Although some residents grabbed the opportunity and volunteered to remove the rubbish for a fee, others condoned the dumping, saying there was nothing else people could do.
“I will not split on anyone dumping. Give the municipality the fine. They are the reason people are dumping,” one woman remarked.
By yesterday, Wednesday, 5 July, Rebelo reported that the trucks were still not moving and refuse removal was still on hold.
The municipality also failed to answer the Herald’s questions about when the problems would be sorted out and the additional illegal dumps removed.
Meanwhile, another crisis unfolded when the municipality notified residents on Friday, 30 June, that due to its inability to pay Rand Water, the water utility had implemented 50 per cent water restrictions on the whole municipal area from the previous night.
“However, the municipality has agreed on a payment plan with Rand Water, which is effective today and the water restrictions will, therefore, be suspended.
“The municipality endeavours to honour that agreement,” the municipality said.
However, when the Herald probed them about this payment arrangement on Tuesday, the municipal spokesperson said it had not yet been formalised.
Rand Water’s spokesperson, Pride Mguli, also failed to provide information about the agreement between the municipality and Rand Water.
Although the municipality declined to say how much money it owes Rand Water, it was close to R445 million at the end of March, according to council documents.