A contractor appointed by Mopani District Municipality (MDM) to construct a bulk water supply system in Hoedspruit town is, according to the Democratic Alliance (DA), creating a major headache for the community.
Christine du Preez, DA councillor in Hoedspruit based Maruleng Municipality, in a media release said the excavations will deter tourists this Festive Season and called on the district municipality to ensure that the contractor conducts his work in a way that it does not endanger life and cause unnecessary inconvenience.
According to Du Preez, the route of the pipeline and the site of the reservoir have changed many times and it is still uncertain if agreements entered into are valid. “No impact study was done before the initiation of the project, and as anticipated serious damage was done to important infrastructure as well as the environment,” Du Preez alleged.
She added that the main water pipeline between the reservoir in Drakensig and the training site of the South African Air Force was destroyed during excavation, leaving trainees without water for a whole weekend. Trees were ripped apart and newly completed pavements and storm water canals were also destroyed.
Du Preex reckons that the root of the problem is at MDM who did not allocate adequate time for planning and proper research into the existing infrastructure.
Spokesperson for MDM, Witness Tiva was not available for comment at time of going to print.
Story: BARRY VILJOEN
>>barryv.observer@gmail.com
