The wheel is turning

Tempers swept like a Tsunami through Tasbetpark earlier this week as residents had to go without a drop of water again.

Some areas in Tasbetpark and Duvhapark has been without this precious commodity for up to two weeks.
Then the news broke that the mayor, Cllr Lindiwe Ntshalintshali has her eyes set on new wheels, that was the cherry on the cake for the community who had to make do without water.

The Municipal Manager Mr Theo van Vuuren had his hands full trying to control angry residents who took to Kiepersol Street and OR Tambo Street and started burning tyres.
One of the main reasons the area ran out of water, according to Van Vuuren, was the sudden increase in water demand due to heat in the past two weeks.

Residents showing their dismay on Monday, September 12 after yet another day without water in Tasbetpark.

There were two major leaks on the bulk lines at Oliphant’s Drive main entrance to Bankenveld Golf Estate where the line was leaking back into Witbank Dam through the storm water channel which made it difficult to trace the leak. The second major leak was on the bulk feeder line to Phola/Ogies where fittings were stolen for scrap metals.
A power failure at Grobler Substation which affected the pumping of water at Point B which is a feeder reservoir to Point C also resulted in water shortages.

Van Vuuren also blames the mines and said,

“The municipality also depends on the mines to augment portable water supply, however for the last three weeks we have not been receiving constant water supply from the mines due to dropping of ground raw water from the mines due to drought.”

While facing all the above Point D Reservoir, which is the command reservoir, was flooded on September 11 because of a pipe burst.

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Municipal teams went all out and put shoulder to the wheel and fixed the two major leaks on the bulk feeder lines and water supply was restored in Bankenveld Golf Estate and Phola/ Ogies.
The power was restored after 24 hours and pumping of water supply began however it took more than 24 hours to recover fully.

“The flooding has been resolved and pumping has began even though we are running two out of five pumps,” Van Vuuuren explained the situation at the feeder reservoir.

“With its sporadic water and electricity supply, shortage of housing and dilapidated road infrastructure, goes without saying that if Theo van Vuuren cared about the upliftment of eMalahleni, any money saved from developmental projects would be redirected towards other service delivery needs. It is morally wrong that the mayor can drive a brand new vehicle paid for with money intended for service delivery,” said Cllr Naritha Naidu, DA Caucus Leader in the Emalahleni Local Council.

In an interview on the SABC, Cllr Ntshalintshali has refuted the allegations that the R1.5 million was diverted from funds meant for service delivery.

“I must say we did not divert funds and I think it is the perception that they have given the community which is absolutely wrong because what has happened is that there are funds from the past two financial years from projects which were completed. There were savings, so the funds were savings from the completed projects,” the mayor defended her new wheels.

She said the council have set aside more than R208 million for service delivery during the current financial year.
On social media residents gave the mayor a proper tongue-lashing.
Karen Phillips said the mayor’s transport preference does not justify eMalahleni citizens suffering due to non existent service delivery.

“How could the money come from savings over the last two years when the municipality has been bankrupt for as many years? Really mayor, you will have to better than that,” Felicity Rossi reprimanded.

“Everyday it’s the same old story, we are fixing the pipe. I think its more of we are fixing our pockets. While the people suffer you and your friend the mayor are buying luxury cars. Witbank is a mess, even declared the most polluted place in the world. All thanks to your miss-managing. Now fix this problem,” Portia Msibi demanded.

Capt Eddie Hall said following the protest action, four cases of malicious damage to property were opened at Witbank SAPS after stones were thrown at passing cars.

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