A service delivery march was held at Dikgatlong Municipality in Barkly West where community members lamented the frequent water cuts and the sewage leaks in their yards and homes.
A SERVICE delivery march was held at Dikgatlong Municipality in Barkly West on Friday where community members lamented the frequent water cuts and the sewage leaks in their yards and homes.
A resident, Pieter Botha, said whenever there was load shedding the water supply was also cut.
“The community is extremely frustrated and will take matters into their own hands if there are no improvements soon,” said Botha.
DA constituency head and Member of Parliament Delmaine Christians said the municipality was facing an imminent collapse.
“Three months after complaints were laid with the municipality, the sewage situation continued to worsen, despite calls on the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs to intervene,” said Christians.
“Just over two weeks ago, a camp at a nearby resort that accommodated 132 children and adults had to put up with overflowing sewage despite having paid the municipality R560 to suck the drains. It was later revealed that the two municipal sewage trucks were in Kimberley for repairs for a prolonged time.
“The municipality has not bothered to try and mitigate the situation, failing to make a temporary arrangement with a neighbouring municipal authority for the loan of a sewage truck to help alleviate the situation.”
Christians added that a brand new sewage truck was parked at the municipal grounds. “It may not be utilised until an official handover and ribbon-cutting ceremony has taken place.”
She also pointed out that there was not enough purified water and capacity to ensure the sustainable provision of safe drinking water to all municipal areas.
“This means residents of Barkly West, Windsorton, Delportshoop, Longlands, Gong-Gong and farming areas will face a dry, hot summer.
“Pothole craters mar the town’s main road while gravel roads through residential areas are not bladed. Speed signs are non-existent at the town’s entrances, causing motorists to race through the town centre, at great risk to the community. There are no allocated trucking stops, where mining trucks use Barkly West as a through fare. The trucks stop anywhere, presenting a hazard to motorists and pedestrians. Street lights have been out of order for months, receiving no attention from the municipality.”
Christians stated that a memorandum was handed over to the municipal manager. “He has committed to providing us with feedback.”
The manager of corporate services at Dikgatlong Municipality, Bakie Tsinyane, said that the municipality was addressing all matters that were contained in the memorandum.
“The municipality purchased two brand new sanitation trucks and is waiting for another truck to be delivered at the end of November. The newly purchased truck is currently been utilised and sanitation services have improved since then,” said Tsinyane.
She indicated that load shedding was adversely affecting the pumping of water.
“The municipality has requested Frances Baard District Municipality to purchase two generators for the water treatment plant. Funds have been secured through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant to increase water storage facilities in Longlands although the supply chain process still has to be finalised. ”
Tsinyane added that although provincial government was responsible for the R31, the municipality was currently establishing a traffic unit to deal with traffic management.
“Council has emphasised the importance of having a traffic management unit. The recruitment process has been followed to appoint a head for the traffic management unit.”
