Note to editors: Please find attached the English soundbite by Cllr Richard Khumalo, Sesotho by Cllr Moshe Lefuma and Afrikaans by Cllr Eleanor Quinta.
On 22 March 2024, members of the Democratic Alliance (DA) along with a few residents of Intabazwe, Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality, gathered for the highly anticipated launch of the IntabazweX2/Linda Mkhonto Smart City Concept by Premier Dukwana and MEC of CoGTA and Human Settlements, Ketso Makume.
However, the event turned out to be a Big Smart Flop. Premier Dukwana’s delayed arrival, three hours behind schedule, set the tone for a disappointing affair. Residents, already disillusioned by previous unfulfilled promises, found little solace in the repetitive rhetoric presented. With longstanding issues of water and electricity shortages persisting for 25 years, the community remained sceptical about the feasibility of the proposed project. Please see pictures here, here, here and here.
Moreover, the rushed proceedings left no room for addressing critical questions concerning the practical implementation of the Smart City initiative, especially within a financially strained and mismanaged municipality. Notably, the municipality’s track record, highlighted by the mere construction of 152 houses last year, the absence of senior management, and the staggering return of R600 million to the National Treasury in unutilised funds, raised serious doubts about its capability to spearhead such a complex endeavour.
In response to these concerns, we will initiate inquiries in the FS Provincial Legislature to scrutinise the appointment process of GIC and seek clarity on the roadmap for executing this project. Additionally, building upon our previous efforts, the DA will continue to engage with relevant oversight bodies, including the Public Protector and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), to ensure accountability and transparency in the allocation and utilisation of public funds.
The failure of the IntabazweX2/Linda Mkhonto Smart City launch underscores the urgent need for responsible governance and tangible solutions to address the pressing challenges communities face. The DA remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for the people’s interests and holding those in power accountable for their actions.