DA takes MM to task

Randfontein Municipal Manager Mpho Mogale has been taken to task about the state of Randfontein’s roads in an open letter from Ward 3 DA Councillor Alwyn van Tonder.

In the letter, Van Tonder states that he finds it shocking and totally unacceptable that Randfontein roads were neglected and let to deteriorate to the levels that they have.

According to a recent ward inspection report compiled by Van Tonder to ascertain the true state of the roads in his ward, there are over 1 100 potholes in Ward 3 alone, with over 200 potholes recorded on some streets.

In the letter, Van Tonder places the blame for the condition of roads in Randfontein squarely on the shoulders of the Municipal Manager, citing the Municipal Finance Management Act, clause 96(1)(a), which states that the accounting officer of the municipality (being Mogale) is responsible for the management of the assets of the municipality, including the safeguarding and maintenance of those assets.

“Our roads, which are an important asset are definitely not being maintained,” says Van Tonder.

“I spent some time with the Roads Department while trying to repair extremely dangerous potholes along Randfontein Road, where a serious accident caused by the potholes occurred recently.

“I cannot believe that they are expected to perform miracles by repairing potholes without the necessary materials like crusher stone and bitumen.

“Repairing potholes with muddy red gravel is in my opinion a fruitless expenditure and money wasted seeing that you have to repair the same pothole over and over again.”

According to Van Tonder, this has been continuing for months now.

“The hold up seems to be at the Finance Department.

“I cannot see why it is taking the Finance Department so long to finalise an “as and when needed tender.”

“Why must they go through the whole lengthy procurement process every time the material is finished?

“If the contract is awarded on an “as and when” basis, potholes can be repaired sooner, will be smaller and in the long run millions will be saved on material.

“If there is a problem in the Municipality’s supply Chain it must be identified and resolved.”

Van Tonder goes on to say that there is an apparent shortage of drivers and operators at the Roads Department.

“There is equipment like the two pothole trucks, but we don’t utilize it because of a lack of operators.

“Why don’t we appoint people that can operate these trucks instead of unnecessary admin people?

“We have the ability to repair potholes effectively within the Municipality, instead we are awarding contracts to contractors to repair the potholes, which is much more expensive.

“As a Ward Councillor and also as a resident of this town, I cannot and will not tolerate the petty excuses given to us as to why service delivery is not performed.

“The different departments should be working together to fast track service delivery and this is not happening.

“The safety of our road users and the pedestrians, especially school children, is compromised because of the bad roads.”

Van Tonder ends the letter with a warning to the Municipal Manager that he as the accounting officer could be held ultimately responsible should someone be killed or injured in an accident caused by the potholes.

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