Note to editors: Please find attached the English soundbite by Cllr Chris Dalton and Sesotho by Jafta Mokoena MPL.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) conducted an unannounced oversight at the Viljoenskroon wastewater treatment plant. To our amazement, the plant was found to be nonfunctional, contradictory to what was reported in the council.
The only thing that was working was the last two of the seven aerators that were still turning, other than to give the appearance that the plant was working and wasting electricity. No sewerage treatment was done and it just passed through the plant and exited the other side.
This reflects the weak leadership under Executive Mayor, Mokatsane.
Managers are hiding their incompetence and being protected while continuing to receive, rate payer funded, big salaries at the end of the month. First, it was the plant in Kroonstad that was found to be dysfunctional on a site inspection and now Viljoenskroon.
In 2022 the DA took a team of engineers, sent by the Deputy President to Kroonstand on the news of the collapsed plant. During that visit, we highlighted the Viljoenskroon plant and warned them that this plant was collapsing.
The DA will conduct additional oversight of the Steynrus plant to assess the extent of mismanagement there. We will then compile a report to submit to the council on the collapse of the wastewater treatment in the municipality.
MECs that are tasked to oversee the conditions are nowhere to be found and ultimately the Ministers are neglecting the people and future generations with raw sewerage flowing untreated into our rivers.
It is time for the electorate to hold leadership to account. South Africa and its people deserve better than they receive. We are committed to bringing change across the country and therefore urge all residents to vote in the 2024 National and Provincial Government elections on 29 May.