Note to editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by Cllr Kabelo Moreeng and Afrikaans by Cllr Lyle Bouwer.
For the past four weeks, the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality has once again failed the residents of Thaba Nchu, breaching section 156(1)(a) of the Constitution, which assigns responsibility for refuse removal, refuse dumps, solid waste disposal, and cleaning to local government. Please see the pictures here, here, here and here.
A lack of communication has exacerbated the situation, resulting in corners of Mokwena and surrounding areas becoming filled with uncollected black refuse bags. Dogs ravaging through these bags have caused papers and plastics to scatter everywhere, prompting residents to resort to dumping waste in open spaces and near the Mokwena Clinic and Phetogane Secondary School, posing significant health risks to patients and schoolchildren. The fleet manager’s inadequate responses, citing broken trucks or fuel shortages, are unacceptable excuses.
If the municipality lacks funds to maintain its fleet or purchase fuel, questions arise regarding its ability to justify hiring external service providers at considerable expense. It is the result of municipal mismanagement, depriving residents of essential services while external contractors profit.
To address this issue, the DA will submit Rule 38 questions in line with standing rules and orders, seeking accountability and transparency. We also call on the municipality to implement an urgent waste management plan to address this crisis.
The DA remains committed to upholding the dignity of our residents and ensuring they receive quality basic services consistently. Access to such services should not be a mere favour but a fundamental right for all residents of this metro.