Govan Mbeki Municipality clashes with Service Delivery Party over sewer repair credit
Newly formed political party claims the unblocking of a sewer in Ward 10 is due to their intervention, but municipality says work was done by employees.
The Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) has criticised the newly formed Service Delivery Party for attempting to claim credit for essential service delivery work carried out in Ext 17, eMbalenhle, on February 22.
In a statement, the municipality said all sewer unblocking and infrastructure repairs in eMbalenhle fall under the exclusive mandate of its water and sanitation section.
The municipality emphasised that maintenance teams take instructions only from authorised municipal officials, including the senior engineering technician and the sanitation superintendent.
“The teams do not operate under the direction of any outside individuals or private parties,” the statement read.
GMM further rejected what it described as claims by individuals seeking personal recognition for essential services rendered by municipal workers.
The sewer blockage in Ward 10 (Ext 17), which residents say had persisted for three months, has now been resolved.
However, Sihle Mabena, a member of the Service Delivery Party, told Ridge Times that party members – who are also residents of Ext 17 – intervened after receiving a complaint from a pensioner whose yard had been flooded with sewage for about three months.
Mabena alleged that the pensioner had reported the matter to the ward councillor and municipal officials without success.
“The situation was so bad that her house had started cracking because of the sewage spill,” said Mabena.
He explained that after receiving the complaint, party members went to the municipal technical yard in eMbalenhle and raised the matter with employees on duty.
“Because they felt the pain of the pensioner, they took a honey sucker truck and went to her home, where they unblocked the sewer that had been troubling her for three months,” said Mabena.
Mabena questioned the municipality’s statement, saying the party’s intention was simply to assist the community.
“If helping the community to get services means we get credit, then so be it. Instead of appreciating our members for a job well done, the municipality is criticising us. What type of leaders do we have?” he said.
He added that the municipality belongs to the community and not to certain individuals.
“It is a shame that such a statement is issued. Does it mean the pensioner was supposed to suffer indefinitely because of service delivery failures?
“We will not stop doing what is right for our community,” Mabena said.
