Mayor of Standerton isn’t going anywhere
“Something serious and drastic has to be done to restore the dignity of a once beautiful town,” the mayor said.
Delani Louis Thabethe, executive mayor of the Lekwa Municipality, is digging his heels in concerning municipal and council matters.
The mayor visited the newspaper’s office on June 7. He mentioned the challenges during his previous term of office in 2000 were less compared to what he is facing now.
“The backlog is huge. We had to start from scratch and inherited a dysfunctional municipality,” Thabethe also said.
“Key positions were vacant and massive debt and litigation issues awaited us.”
Thabethe added the rate of non-payment of services affects Lekwa to a large extent.
“Revenue collection causes sleepless nights. Some residents don’t allow meter reading at their house, nor installation of smart meters.”
About the meeting at the Standerton Town Hall on June 1, where the business community walked out, he emphasised that Lekwa needs to know which businesses are in town.
“Account enquiries can then be dealt with. We need by-laws to control how businesses operate in town.”
The mayor did not beat about the bush about what is needed in Standerton.
“Something serious and drastic has to be done to restore the dignity of a once beautiful town.”
The Minister of Water and Sanitation in Mpumalanga, Senzo Mchunu, who pledged R350m towards water and sanitation projects, visited Standerton on June 9.
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He assessed the work that has been done so far.
“I am happy with the progress made. Water conservation, water leakages and sewage spillages are municipal challenges,” the mayor added.
Thabethe referred to the Ext 8 flats, Concor Reservoir, Kosmospark and Rooikoppen as examples where they attended to living conditions.
“I will stress to the ministry to prioritise upgrading the Water Treatment Plant. We are dealing with ageing infrastructure at the plant. The capacity has to be increased to supply the community with clean water.”
The regularity of bursting pipes is, according to him, due to asbestos pipes that needed replacement with a safer and sustainable pipe system.
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Thabethe mentioned that you needed crocodile skin in his portfolio and that he was under pressure the day he walked into his office.
He is the only coalition mayor in South Africa who still holds office.
“What sustains me is passionate councillors who want a better Standerton, as well as prayers from pastors and the community.”
The Standerton Advertiser requested an update on the proposed development near the Standerton River Park and progress on the building of the mall.
About the development, registration and zoning of land, he said it was underway, but no houses would be built until the upgrading of the infrastructure in town has been done.
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The bulk service agreement for the mall has been signed and Lekwa is waiting for approval from the Gert Sibande Tribunal.
“Locals will have a stake in the construction of the mall and running some of the shops,” the mayor indicated.
After the recent attack on him at his house in Kosmospark, he was left with many options.
“Bodyguards are not an ideal situation. I am a people person and enjoy walking without drawing attention to myself. It took a lot of convincing to agree to VIP protection.”
The mayor concluded, saying his office would not be vacated, as long as he has the support of his party the Lekwa Community Forum, the voting block and the community.
“No amount of intimidation or threat will make me walk away.”
