Note to editors: Please find attached English and Sotho soundbites by Cllr Moshe Lefuma.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality is daunted by the appalling road conditions the community of Botshabelo is exposed to.
Last week, a Free State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) fleet vehicle was plunged through a deep hole flooded with rainwater at an intersection on Setumo Phakoe road in Botshabelo, resulting in damage to the vehicle.
How long must residents in Botshabelo still endure these dangerous unsafe roads?
Yearly, residents attend Integrated Development Planning (IDP) meetings where they make inputs regarding the development of roads and streets in their area. The condition of roads is repeatedly brought up, yet roads continue to deteriorate.
The residents are often informed that the inputs are included in the budget that will enhance development and improve infrastructure. Predictably, when the time comes, such promises become failed projects as no action is taken by the uncaring ANC-run municipality.
Projects are often indicated as failed on the Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP) with explanations of a bid or a specification that was not properly drawn up or simply because the bid was not advertised on time.
The DA is awaiting answers from the Municipality on how many claims were submitted and paid out for the past financial year. Additionally, what funds were lost by the municipality due to claims, and what will be done to address the appalling road maintenance conditions in Botshabelo as a matter of urgency?
The DA is committed to bringing change across the country and therefore urges all residents to register to vote in the 2024 national and provincial elections.