Following the on-going water crisis, the DA has urged the metro to prioritise the maintenance of existing infrastructure to avoid a complete collapse of both the electricity and water systems.
“Answers to questions posed by the DA paint a dismal picture of existing infrastructure and its maintenance,” said DA councillor Bruna Haipel.
“For example, there were over 2 000 unplanned power interruptions across the metro in the 2013/2014 financial year alone, and 50 per cent of these were underground cable faults.”
Each of these power outages has to be identified and investigated individually.
“The DA has requested that the energy department provide the oversight committee with a comprehensive breakdown of the problems, including what actions were taken to resolve the power failures,” Haipel said.
The DA feels it is important to have this information in order prevent further similar problems.
“It is clear to the DA that the metro is not budgeting sufficiently for maintenance and the upgrading of outdated infrastructure,” Haipel added.
“The challenges facing the energy department could easily be rectified if proper steps are taken.”
The DA suggested the following solutions to helping the on-going situation: adequate budgeting for the upgrades and maintenance, proper cooperation with the SAPS to prevent theft of equipment and cables, and the prevention of illegal connections which not only cost the metro over R250-million per year, but also put unnecessary stress on the system, causing more faults and shortening the life of the equipment.
“In the water department, delays are caused by bad planning,”Haipel said.
“The Vosloorus and Pomona New Eastern outfall sewer tenders and the Elsburg Koppies contract were not awarded in the last financial year.
“Delays of this nature on huge projects such as these have far reaching consequences for residents and simply cannot be allowed to continue.”
