Note to Editors: Please find the attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Dr Roy Jankielsohn MPL, Leader of the Opposition in the Free State Legislature.
The high profile visit to the Kroonstad waste water treatment plant today by Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, and Deputy President, David Mabuza, must culminate in action and not more election promises. The Free State does not want election sugar coating from the M&M duo.
The violation of environmental rights of residents of Moqhaka Municipality and water users downstream of the massive pollution of raw sewerage into the Vals River can no longer be ignored by government.
The Vals River is a tributary of the Vaal River, which is in turn a tributary of the Orange River. As a tributary of the Orange River, the constant and large scale pollution into Vaal River poses an environmental hazard for all water users in other provinces and neighbouring states. South Africa shares international rivers such as the Orange River with other states in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The pollution of international water resources by local municipalities are a violation of SADC water related treaties and protocols.
The Kroonstad sewerage works were renovated in 2016 and have subsequently been neglected and allowed to fall into disrepair by the dysfunctional ANC-led Moqhaka Municipality. This is not restricted to Moqhaka, but a problem in all municipalities across the Free State where raw sewerage in streets and unreliable water services have unfortunately become a way of life for many residents.
The cadre deployment strategy of the ANC has stripped municipalities of expertise and allowed the unabated plundering of municipal infrastructure grants and other service delivery related resources. Free Staters do not want another talk shop and election promises from Mchunu and Mabuza. The Free State wants a commitment to hold officials and politicians accountable for the state of water and waste water infrastructure, coupled with sound plans that are backed up with corruption free budgets to mitigate the current problems.
Service delivery problems in municipalities will not cease until the ANC are voted out of all spheres of government by residents who must take responsibility for the quality of their existence through their democratic voting rights. In a democracy you get the government that you vote for, and you deserve the government that you vote for.