Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Eleanor Quinta and Sesotho by Cllr Moshe Lefuma.
Harrismith in the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality (MaP) was once classified as the Jewel of the Free State, it is now a rubbish dump. MaP’s inability to keep the refuse trucks running has led to a state of disaster in Harrismith. Rats, maggots and flies are thriving on the heaps of rubbish dumps all over this once beautiful town, with disastrous consequences for the community.
Residents have resorted to setting piles of refuse on fire, which has hazardous consequences to the environment and their health with gas-compressed bottles exploding in the burning heaps.
The ANC-led municipality is unable or unwilling to simply take the trucks for road-worthy tests for licencing purposes, and the replacement of tyres is simply not done. MaP’s Transport Manager and Supply Chain are to blame for this sad state of affairs, as refuse managers and superintendents escalate matters daily.
Furthermore, EPWP participants are selected with great fanfare, yet they are not supplied with the basics such as a refuse bag. Spades and wheelbarrows were supplied, but no thought was given or clear instructions as to what must be done with the refuse once it has been scrapped together. The local TLB is also in need of licensing and service.
Incompetence and indifference towards the residents of Greater Harrismith is becoming increasingly obvious. The DA in Maluti-a-Phofung will continue to put pressure on the failing municipality to clean up its mess. Additionally, we will raise questions in the council on what action plans are in place to address the crisis.
We are committed to bringing change across the country and therefore urge all residents to register to vote in the 2024 National and Provincial Government elections.