Note to editors: Please find attached the English soundbite by Cllr Chris Dalton and Sesotho by Karabo Khakhau MP.
The DA in Moqhaka Local Municipality will demand an investigation into the reasons behind the collapse of services to the Steynrus community. Additionally, we demand an action plan from the Mayor and Municipal Manager on how services will be restored.
In recent months, the Steynsrus community has experienced disruptions in essential services such as provision of potable water, refuse removal and unblocking of sewage drains.
The poor, but mostly non-existent services expected from the technical department are overlooked by the Executive mayor and his mayoral committee because of political tensions in the ANC and external pressures from certain groups within the community that are dissatisfied with, apparently illegally, appointments made by the Municipal Manager.
Shutdowns preventing municipal employees from going to work and performing their duties are a result of a non-transparent, non-caring local government leadership.
The basic needs of our community must be met without compromise. Failure to do so consistently impacts negatively on the quality of life for residents of Steynsrus.
Instead of facing the community and encouraging them to report any instances of extortion or blackmail that may be hindering the provision of services, and then taking steps to stop this practice, the political leadership and management prefer to remain quiet and forget about the well-being of Steynsrus residents.
The lack of leadership in Moqhaka is causing the people to whom they account, to suffer.