eMBALENHLE – Dr Zweli Mkhize, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), recently visited the Mandela Section and Extension 18 to inspect and monitor the progress of the project aimed at dealing with the sewerage crisis in the area.
This was a follow-up visit since his national intervention programme to provide support to distressed and dysfunctional municipalities.
The Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) is amongst the municipalities in the province that are faced with challenges relating to governance, financial management, service delivery failures and also debt owed to Eskom and Rand Water.
During his first visit in August, the residents expressed their frustrations over sewage spillages in the area and told him that they have had enough of the raw sewage in the area.
They complained that raw sewage often flows into the streets and they suspect that blocked underground pipes are to be blamed.
Dr Mkhize told the residents that the provincial government has committed to a budget of R53-million towards addressing the sewer spillages, specifically in eMbalenhle.
His visit was unannounced and the contractor on-site was caught off-guard. They seemed to be unprepared for the minister’s visit.
The contractor on-site could not provide clear answers to the minister’s questions and blamed the rainy weather for the poor work.
Dr Mkhize was accompanied by Ms Thandi Ngxonono, executive mayor, Members of the Mayoral Committee, councillors and officials from the department and municipality.
He interacted with locals who took the opportunity to complain about various service delivery problems, especially water and sewer problems in the area.
The residents in Mandela Section told Dr Mkhize they are not happy with the contractor on-site and they questioned its competency.
“It does not look like they know what they are doing, the problem is worse than before.
“They do not barricade the trenches and a hill of soil is blocking our gates.
“Motorists are no longer able to park their cars in front of their homes,” said a resident.
Dr Mkhize urged the residents to be patient with the municipality as they are working around the clock to address the sewer crisis in the area.
He reprimanded the contractors for the faults he noticed and instructed them to improve on the work standard and pace.
Watch the videos here:
https://www.facebook.com/echoridgenewspapers/videos/1996156577358367/
Video 2:
https://www.facebook.com/echoridgenewspapers/videos/2363086080391818/
