AfriForum reprimands municipality in urgent letter

The chairman of AfriForum Vryheid, André van der Walt, recently sent a letter to the acting municipal manager regarding the state in which the town currently finds itself. In the letter, he refers to unregistered tractors and trucks. According to him, there are four tractors that cut grass in town, of which at least three are not registered to travel or work on public roads. Van der Walt says he has reported this to the Traffic Department on numerous occasions, but nothing has been done.

During January and February, he reported the matter to Mr Mthembu at the Traffic Department. Van der Walt says that some of the vehicles were impounded at some stage and a special permit was taken out by the owner, which is only valid for three days. This gives the owner time to move the vehicles to a workshop to be fixed, and then taken to the testing grounds to be tested for roadworthiness. He says this has never happened and the tractors simply returned to the roads. “This raises serious questions as to why our traffic officials are ignoring these vehicles. Why are they not doing their duty in this specific case?” says Van der Walt. Furthermore, in the letter, he states that these tractors are not using normal slashers to cut grass in town. Apparently, these slashers have no safety stop at the back and front openings, which means that rocks and other debris can be hurled out of the openings. The correct machine to use would be a roller mower, which is similar but the debris cannot shoot dangerously out of the openings.

The letter also refers to a municipal workshop in Landdrost Street that is being utilised by an anonymous person, since there are trucks parked on the property. AfriForum requests a full investigation into the matter of possible corruption at the Traffic Department.

The water issues are ongoing in town and in the letter, AfriForum offers their assistance in rectifying these problems; they will carry the costs.

‘It is our Constitutional right as the community to demand a constant supply of safe drinking water. We therefore demand the following:
1. The reason why the water delivery is so poor.
2. An action plan as to how the water supply problem will be addressed.
3. What emergency plan or backup plans will be put in place.
4. Make available a Water Services Development Plan (WSDP) to AfriForum.’

The letter also refers to the electricity problems which have been ongoing since 2016. Many letters were written in this regard, the most recent being in March last year, and all of these letters were ignored by council. Electricity problems have escalated in the town and there are now more outages; no longer only in the Stilwater and Zaailaagte areas. Businesses are losing millions of rands because of this.

AfriForum demands the following:
1. The reason why maintenance is not being done.
2. The reason why refurbishing on the Stilwater/Zaailaagte lines was not done, taking into consideration that funds were available in the budget.
3. What happened to the money that was made available on the budget.
4. Make available to AfriForum an action plan ASAP.

AfriForum also refers to the condition of the roads and that there is no maintenance. The letter states that potholes are being fixed unprofessionally and non-effectively.

AfriForum demands the following:
1. The reason why streets are not being maintained.
2. Make available to AfriForum an action plan, ASAP.

In the case of alleged corruption, AfriForum wants to see all payments made by Mr Mbatha for the decimation of the plantation at Grootgewacht Dam. They would like to see the contract for the leasing of the residence at Grootgewacht Dam, as well as the amount being paid for the leasing of the residence.

In closing, the letter refers to previous letters that were ignored and it subtly warns council that the residents have had enough of the mismanagement and alleged corruption… And that ignoring this letter could spark action by the community. AfriForum also makes it clear that they reserve the right to approach the court for action against the municipality. AbaQulusi Local Municipality has up until March 17 at 12:00 to respond to the letter.

ALSO READ: VRYHEID KZN: Gemeenskap maak hande vuil om dorp skoon te maak

Make sure you follow us on our social media platforms for regular updates