Political tension stalls Eendracht sewer project
Municipality still needs money to complete project.
The long-awaited sewer reticulation project in Eendracht, which includes the installation of a pump station and a rising main, is facing new delays because of internal political conflicts among councillors.
This comes even after the Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) already appointed a contractor. The project, critical for improving the sanitation infrastructure and living conditions in the area, has been stalled amid reported disputes over employment opportunities for residents from Eendracht and the neighbouring community of Lebohang.
Allegations suggest that councillors are at odds over which community should be prioritised for job opportunities generated by the project.
These disagreements have reportedly led to the disruption of key community engagement meetings, resulted in further delays to implementation.
DA Clr Portia Mpatlanyane has raised concerns, claiming that the Lebohang councillors from Wards 2, 3, and 6 have interfered in the project, despite it being located entirely within Ward 1.
“These councillors blocked at least three critical community meetings intended to update residents on the project’s progress. Their interference violates the Councillors’ Code of Conduct and undermines council-approved decisions,” said Mpatlanyane.
She accused the Ward 3 councillor – supported by councillors from Wards 2 and 6 – of disrupting a Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting on July 1, leaving both the contractor and the community in confusion.
“This delay is preventing the delivery of a vital infrastructure project that would restore dignity to the people of Eendracht,” Mpatlanyane added.
She also criticised how the municipality handled the project during its first phase, claiming the community was excluded from key decisions, resulting in poor oversight and wasted public money.
However, council speaker Fikile Magagamela denied receiving a complaint from the DA. She accused Mpatlanyane of being the one causing confusion and delays.
“Mpatlanyane is not the Ward 1 councillor but a PR councillor. The ward councillor is Solomon Mahlangu. As I am leading the Section 79 Oversight Committee, I am responsible for project oversight. Mpatlanyane should refrain from interfering with the PSC’s work,” said Magagamela.
Magagamela also warned Mpatlanyane against using her name in the media without consultation.
“I urge her to step back and allow the steering committee to carry out its duties so that the community can receive a proper sewer network,” added Magagamela.
The delays now threaten the timely delivery of the much-needed infrastructure project, raising concerns among residents about political interference in service delivery. Financially, the municipality had to apply for budget maintenance after identifying a funding shortfall.
The council tabled the budget adjustment and applied to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), which approved it with conditions.
The conditions restrict budget maintenance to 20% of the original approved amount. COGHSTA approved an additional R6m, bringing the revised municipal infrastructure grant (MIG) allocation to more than R36m.
However, the total revised project cost is R46.5m, leaving the municipality responsible for a co-funding balance of more than R10m. So far, the municipality has allocated R5.2m, plus R2.1m (recoverable), and R2.6m through retention and performance guarantees in the 2024/25 financial year.
The municipality is now expected to commit an additional R5.2m to cover the full co-funding requirement. The ongoing political interference threatens to undermine both the funding conditions and the project’s progress.
Residents have expressed frustration over the repeated delays in a project that promises to deliver critical sewer infrastructure and restore dignity for the neglected community.
