Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Bea Campbell-Cloete
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality discovered that the R16 million Kgosatsana Manapo Mopeli water quality testing lab at Tlholong in Kestell is set to become another deep hole into which taxpayers’ money will disappear.
The water quality testing lab was officially opened on 3 September 2021 and funded by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA). It was scheduled to start functioning in October 2022. Yet, on 17 October a meeting was held between Infrastructure Portfolio Committee members, an outside specialist, and the Laboratory Principal Scientist during which it came to light that the Laboratory might not be operational for some time.
The meeting discussed the layout of the laboratory. The layout does not currently comply with the specifications of such facilities. It was also revealed that the equipment that was procured for the laboratory is not the requisite equipment that is needed for the specific testing that the laboratory plans to embark on. The memorandum of understanding between COGTA and the municipality had also not been signed. Additional funding will be required to bring the laboratory up to standard.
In the meantime, advertisements have been placed for a Senior Laboratory Analyst, two Laboratory Samplers, a Laboratory Technician (Microbiology), Laboratory Technician (Chemistry), two Laboratory Analysts, a receptionist and a cleaner. The cost of these appointments, as advertised, will be approximately R190 000 per month. This does not include benefits such as car allowances, cell phone allowances, Pension funds and medical aid. I also do not include the security staff currently employed by the District.
The DA raised the question of why staff are being appointed whilst changes have to be made to the laboratory and equipment to perform the testing. No answers were forthcoming.
The DA is concerned that the laboratory staff will be appointed and will not be able to perform their duties, causing the project to be another white elephant into which taxpayers’ funds will disappear.
The DA also raised questions in the Provincial Legislature. According to the answers, COGTA set aside R5 million for the project in the current financial year and the Laboratory will serve all municipalities in the district to bypass lengthy testing and backlogs of testing currently being done at the university of the Free State.
The DA demands answers on the Water Laboratory and follow-up questions will also be raised in the Provincial Legislature.
The DA remains committed to ensuring that taxpayers’ funds are not wasted on projects that cannot add value and will continue to keep an eye on the progress of the water laboratory.