BREYTEN – Municipal services have been neglected by Msukaligwa Municipality, the residents say.
There are potholes in every street, and motorists have to carefully navigate their way through the town’s decaying infrastructure.
To the benefit of some farmers in the area, AfriForum recently graded a gravel road.
Local resident, Mr John Hopkins, expressed his dissatisfaction with what he deems shoddy repairs made by the municipality to fill potholes.
Potholes were simply filled with gravel.
“One rainstorm will ultimately destroy their work. Ironically, even the road leading to the municipal office is pothole-ridden.”
Mr Hopkins also complained about the municipality’s alleged insensitivity towards the elderly and disabled.
“I discovered, much to my horror, that there were no handrails on the stairs to the municipal offices.
“This is a complete disregard for the well-being of senior citizens and handicapped members of our community,” he said.
Besides the obvious problems you are likely to notice when driving through Breyten, residents from here and neighbouring towns also frequently face severe water shortages.
In last week’s edition of Highvelder, it was reported that the Freedom Front Plus drew up a petition in this regard.
Comment was sought from the municipal spokesman, Mr Mandla Zwane.
Responding to the water challenges in Breyten, Kwazanele, Chrissiesmeer and Kwachibikhulu, he said they are aware of the situation.
He elaborated, “Water supply from Torbanite Dam, which is supplied with water from the Usutu-Transfer pipeline via the upper Komati pipeline from Camden Power Station, is about 1.43 megalitres (Ml) per day.
“The water treatment works has a capacity and purifies about 3Ml per day.
However, the current demand for the area fluctuates according to the season and is between 7Ml per day during high season and drops to 5.3Ml per day during the winter months.
“Due to the topology of the area and insufficient existing storage facilities, the high lying areas experiences low to no water pressure from time to time.”
Read the complete article in the Highvelder.
