The Fezile Dabi District Municipality on Thursday described recent accusations in City Press regarding a R6 million borehole project as not only ‘factually incorrect, but part of a political plot to discredit the DA.’

Answering questions from residents and the media, ‘to set the record straight’, Nick Muller , DA MMC for Local Economic Development, Tourism & Infrastructure, gave detailed clarifications on the project, addressing the allegations in the City Press article of mismanagement and financial irregularities pertaining the project.

Muller said the original scope was a request for six new boreholes and refurbishment of two existing boreholes within the Tweeling area to provide water for these residents who have been struggling for long with water supply.

Muller said the aim was for 2 megalitres water supply daily.  Unfortunately, the two boreholes that needed to be refurbished, proved not to be financially viable, whereafter it was decided to drill additional boreholes. A total of 9 boreholes were drilled, but only 1,1 megalitre supply received from these 9 boreholes. Another three boreholes were then drilled to get the 2 megalitre supply daily.

Nine of the boreholes are equipped, with the additional boreholes available for later use.

The municipality strongly denied allegations that the tender was awarded without identifying the borehole locations, stating that GPS coordinates can be given for each of the boreholes drilled.

“In the near few weeks when we will unveil this project, we will invite you all. It will be a celebration,” Muller said.

He highlighted that the boreholes are not ordinary residential boreholes, as it has a long life span and can supply 8 000 residents with water.

“Water is a scarce community in our country. We cannot allow for communities to be without water.,” Muller said.

The municipality in an official statement earlier the week stated that the project was fully accounted for and achieved significant progress as a lifeline for the residents of Tweeling and Mafahlaneng, addressing their water woes, and  also in anticipation of the Lesotho Highland Water Project tunnel closure, expected to impact bulk water distribution in the Free State.

Both the Executive Mayor of the Fezile Dabi District Municipality, Dennis Khasudi,  and Igor Scheurkogel, the DA’s Provincial Deputy Chairperson and Constituency Head,  gave assurance that the municipality will in view of the allegation against the municipality’s Municipal Manager Sipho Thomas, claiming that a borehole was illegally drilled on his private property in Parys, investigate the matter as the DA is taking the allegation very seriously.

“In line with the DA’s zero tolerance for any financial, procurement, or expenditure irregularities, we have launched an investigation into this allegation. The project is a shining light of hope for Fezile Dabi and represents huge progress for the area. We will not let any allegations detract from this, and therefore, we will investigate them thoroughly and without fear or favour.”

Scheurkogel on Thursday said that where politics is used to manoeuvre, you hurt and break down, referring to the motion of no confidence raised against the existing leadership including the Executive Mayor Dennis Khasudi, and Speaker Sidney Pittaway, and complaints from the EFF against the municipal manager, followed by the City Press report.

“We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and effective governance. We stand by our track record of providing reliable and efficient services to the people of Fezile Dabi, and we urge the public to dismiss these politically motivated allegations,” the DA said.