Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Chris Dalton and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Kabelo Moreeng. See attached pictures here, here, and video here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Moqhaka will write to the municipal manager, Simon Mqwathi, to initiate a one-month clean-up campaign in Moqhaka, utilising the approximately 1,200 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers who are currently underutilised.
In recent years, refuse collection has been hindered by the shortage of refuse removal trucks and a lack of commitment from officials responsible for fulfilling this crucial task.
No consequence management has been implemented, resulting in a steadily increasing number of dumping sites. Law enforcement has also not played its part, leading to the gradual downward spiral of the towns.
Getting the basics correct leads to a culture of law-abiding and proud residents who take care of their area. Although there has been a gradual improvement in cleaning up illegal dumping sites, a lack of pride and responsibility persists among the municipality and its residents.
Residents are demoralised by the lack of service delivery and are fed up with the continuous excuses of the ANC leadership. This was expressed with road blockages and the burning of tyres out of frustration last week.
As the DA, we will never condone such actions as violent protests. Violence never resolves anything, and restricting others from going to work or to the hospital is shortsighted and leads to job losses and possible deaths of seriously ill patients.
Under the underperforming mayor and municipal leadership, accountability and consequence management have been ignored, worsening the dumping issue.