New TLB to clear up illegal dumping sites

What is yellow, strong and enthusiastically welcomed at the Modimolle-Mookgophong Municipality?

A brand new TLB (front-end loader)!

The TLB is part of the specialist waste vehicles the municipality applied for under the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG). The municipality has already received three much-needed refuse trucks, a sewage jet to clear blocked drains, and four vehicles for the electrical department. They hope that a refuse compactor for the landfill site will follow soon.

This is the municipality’s second TLB. One will be used in the Mookgophong area and the other in Modimolle. They hope to acquire another one to service Alma and Vaalwater.

According to Ben Thobela, municipal manager, the municipality spent a large chunk of the budget to hire equipment from the private sector to get their work done.

“With the savings, we will be able to pay off these vehicles in a year. Having equipment and vehicles as part of our fleet is always cheaper than renting them,” he said.

He said that he pushed the municipal staff hard to obtain the vehicles as soon as possible.

The TLB will mainly be used to clear up illegal dumping sites which have sprung up all over the municipality. It will also be used at the landfill site.

Sechele Sebolai, the mayor, confirmed that they will phase out the renting of machinery to save cost.

“Let’s continue to accumulate equipment to get our jobs done efficiently. We must be sure that no financial year goes by where we do not apply for new machinery.”

He encouraged the operators of the new vehicles to “fall in love” with the equipment.

“They must love these vehicles, and take good care of them whilst doing their daily tasks. It must be dear to them like their own cars. They must be proud of it and keep it clean. We must also ensure that these TLBs are used solely for municipal purposes.”

He said he invited the councilors to peruse the new equipment in order for them to get confirmation that the money they approved in council, was spent well.

• According to councilor Wiets Botes, a new contractor has been appointed at the landfill site in the Drie Hekke area. Die Pos reported recently that the previous contractor used materials with the wrong specifications and the Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism Department (LEDET) was requested to intervene. The new contractor can continue with the job at hand after a few processes have been completed.

The site will hopefully be fully operational in two months’ time.