Brenda Mahuma, Executive Mayor of the Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) has condemned threats reportedly made against a company tasked with unblocking sewers and clearing sewage spills in town.
This after TCM, which was tasked with helping to clear continuously decried sewer spillages, allegedly was stopped from doing their job and harassed.
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A statement issued by the Executive Mayor’s spokesperson, Tshidiso Tlharipe, read that the executive had learned that a group of businesses based in Mohlakeng were to be blamed for the interference.
The mayor has observed a persistent, unruly pattern of a business consortium in Mohlakeng which has been interfering with the work of a private company contracted by the municipality to unblock sewer blockages and clear spillages around Rand West City.
“The service provider has been threatened with violence, and the municipality has opted to stop the company from delivering their services. As we are not in a position to protect the assets, we had no choice but to withdraw them.”
The statement explained further that, “Contextually, the 30 per cent stake reserved for capital infrastructure projects is a common denominator in many areas around the country. The set standard has been observed on many capital infrastructure projects, and the municipality has complied fully with the reservation of local interest.”
In the same statement, the mayor said, “I respectfully believe that capital infrastructure projects are meant to create business and employment opportunities for the locals and must be embraced. On the issue of appointed contractors who are to deliver services on an as-and-when basis, and are to use specialty-based equipment that will benefit the welfare of communities, we encourage business consortium(s) to objectively engage the municipality and define their scope of interest.
It is within this context that we deem the actions of some businesses within Rand West City who have stalled maintenance projects on the basis that they seek to have a 30 per cent interest and/ or stake as unruly and inconsiderate of the welfare of the residents.”
The mayor said the municipality is in the process of acquiring the equipment needed to unblock sewer lines and while awaiting the equipment, they will address small-scale blockages which warrant human capital.
“I am aware of the filth and the stench that have engulfed residents and we will, as soon as we get the equipment, address all the backlogs as registered. We are not proud of the filth that residents are exposed to, but we are applying all necessary pressure to secure the Jet Vectar. We are therefore making the community of Mohlakeng aware of the challenges we are confronted with and pleading for your sense of patience.”
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