Editor – Isn’t it time to upgrade Ladysmith’s failing infrastructure?
I have been inundated with reports of overflowing sewers all along the Stinkspruit, in Hyde Park, the CBD and Hospital Park over the last few weeks. I have forwarded videos, photographs and messages to the local municipality and district municipality.
While the specific issues seem to be resolved fairly promptly, by fate or favour, they are only temporarily and before long the next manhole down the line spills over.
There is an incessant list of cesspit crises, as each spillage is a hazardous health risk and damages our environment, not only ecologically but also economically.
Initially, the district municipality gave a weak and unacceptable reply, blaming the residents along the sewage lines of disposing foreign matter into their toilets, thus exacerbating the issues.
If this is the problem, why has uThukela District Municipality not:
– Embarked on a massive education programme?
– Changed the size of the pipelines where the blockages occur, because they always occur repeatedly in the same areas?
– Attempted to trace sources of foreign objects and laid charges?
– Instituted twice daily inspections of problem areas to catch sewage pollution as soon as possible?
– Clean up the water courses after every raw sewage spill?
Strangely, Alfred Duma Local Municipality, which is run by the ANC, is not concerned about the health risks and the damage to the local economy, as it simply refuses to make any effort to put pressure on uThukela District Municipality, also run by the ANC, for water and sanitation issues.
On August 7, I initially got through to the uThukela District Municipality call centre, who told me to report the problem directly to the Finance Department, which seemed very strange.
The Finance Department number rang for 10 minutes, with no one taking the call.
Thereafter and until 1pm, the call centre simply did not answer calls at all.
Ladysmith’s infrastructure is failing to be maintained and needs to be replaced. Both municipalities are guilty of non-communication and turn a deaf ear to the people who pay their fat salaries.
Ladysmith is fast heading towards being another failed municipality on the ever-increasing list of ‘defunct government projects’, unless a complete revamp of the water and sewage pipes is done without delay.
Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join us there!
