Note to editors: Please find attached the English soundbite by Cllr Richard Khumalo, Sesotho by Cllr Moshe Lefuma and Afrikaans by Cllr Bea Campbell-Cloete.
The Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality (MaP) continues to squander R20,000 on rent for a dysfunctional Heavy Vehicle Pound Site in Harrismith. Last year in July, Sipho Tshabalala, the acting Director of Public Safety, Transport, and Protection Services for MaP, assumed office. He reported receiving a handover report from previous officials, including details about the state of the Harrismith Pound Site, located at 01 Hoek Street in Harrismith. This report was compiled by the Traffic Department.
During an oversight visit on 20 March 2024, the DA observed a building in disrepair. Upon contacting the acting Director for clarification, it was revealed that the municipality continues to pay rent for the visibly dilapidated building, honouring the contract between the municipality and the site owner, despite the building being unused. Please see pictures here, here, here and here.
Tshabalala disclosed that the building’s owner is still billing the municipality, resulting in an excessive monthly rent payment of over R20,000. He further explained that internal conflicts between two senior officials in the traffic department led to the collapse of operations.
Furthermore, Tshabalala stated that the municipality plans to renovate and utilise the dilapidated building. He added that if these attempts prove unsuccessful, the contract will be terminated indefinitely.
The DA commits to overseeing these processes, asserting that public funds should be utilised efficiently and not squandered. Additionally, we will insist on answers as to why renovations have not occurred and why the municipality has not stopped the wasteful expenditure.