Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Estelle Noordman and Sesotho by Jafta Mokoena MPL.
Philippolis in the Kopanong Local Municipality is currently grappling with a severe staffing and infrastructure crisis. Out of the 13 municipal workers employed for maintenance, only 4 are actively managing the workload, leaving critical services severely understaffed. This shortage is contributing to significant issues, including blocked sewage systems and widespread water leaks. Water flows continuously, forming streams due to unattended leaks, which raises a critical question: who will bear the cost of this wasted water? Please see the pictures here, here, here and here.
The public has lost trust in the municipality, leading many residents to withhold payments due to inaccurate billing and persistent infrastructure problems. Water meters and pipes neglected for six years, and are leaking extensively. This has created a vicious cycle where residents refuse to pay, further straining the municipality’s already limited resources.
To address these issues, the Democratic Alliance is calling for immediate and decisive action. We propose the following steps:
- Increase Staffing Levels: Hire additional municipal workers to ensure all essential services are adequately covered and maintained.
- Infrastructure Repairs: Initiate urgent repairs to the sewage systems and water infrastructure to prevent further leaks and blockages.
- Implement Transparent Billing: Develop and deploy a transparent and accurate billing system to restore public trust and ensure residents are charged fairly.
- Community Engagement: Engage with the community to rebuild trust and encourage cooperation in maintaining and monitoring infrastructure.
The DA will urge these solutions in the next council meeting and write to the Municipal manager to ensure that action is taken. Addressing these issues will significantly improve the quality of life for residents. By restoring efficient service delivery and ensuring accurate billing, we can rebuild trust between the municipality and its residents, fostering a more cooperative and sustainable environment.