‘Coalition in Council failed Metsimaholo’s communities’

Cllr. Jacques Barnard, DA Councillor in Metsimaholo Local Municipality, writes:
SASOLBURG. – The failed coalition between the ANC, South African Communist Party, Metsimaholo Community Association, African Independent Congress and Forum Service Delivery is presiding over a rapidly deteriorating service delivery situation in the municipality which has left residents helpless.
On August 3 this year, the DA met with members of the Metsimaholo Mayoral Committee and Senior Managers to express their concerns about poor service delivery and to request that an urgent implementation plan be instituted to address service delivery shortcomings. Despite making various commitments to change the state of affairs, none of these commitments have seen the light of day.
This coalition’s 12 month existence has been marred by poor service delivery, absence of a strategic plan and lack of political will to take corrective measures to improve municipal services. This has led to:
• Currently in Metsimaholo refuse removal is inconsistent with the refuse removal vehicles in constant need of repairs.
• Landfill sites are not up to standard and are high-risk areas in terms of safety and our environment.
• Many areas in Metsimaholo do not have street lights. Some electrical cables have been stolen with no hope of being restored.
• The sewerage infrastructure has not been maintained and sewer blockages are on the increase. There are still areas where the bucket system has not been phased out.
• Water leakages and burst pipes also pose huge challenges creating potholes on the road and nothing are done to fix the roads. The grading of gravel and dirt roads has not been done in years due to broken vehicles.
• Trees are not being cut on a regular basis when they do cut them, they are left there without being removed.
• The huge crisis with regards to issuing of utility bills. Complaints have been received that despite the fact that ratepayers who have requested to receive their utility bills online, they do not always receive them. In some instances, warning letters are being issued prior to the accounts have been received. Additional charges are then levied.
• The reading of water meters and the capturing of incorrect and estimated readings remains a challenge.
The Democratic Alliance Councillors as an opposition party remains committed to play its oversight role in terms of law and to drive issues to bring real change to all South Africans.