Note to Editors: Please find attached English soundbite by Cllr Alison Oates, Afrikaans soundbite by Cllr Eleanor Quinta and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Ana Motaung.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Maluti-a-Phofung (MaP) has written to the Mayor and Speaker to respond to the long-ignored community petitions, ensuring that residents’ concerns are finally addressed. When the Mayor refuses to reply to community pleas, the effect is apparent: communities are left without essential services, and the very purpose of local government, to empower and involve residents, is undermined.
One of the five objectives of local government, as outlined in the Constitution (section 152), is “to encourage the involvement of communities and community organisations in matters of local government.”
The MaP Mayor seems to conveniently ignore this. Because it is relatively easy to present a positive view to the Provincial and National governments during oversight. But locals have to face hard truths in their lived reality and are not placated with smooth words.
The municipal standing rules and orders recognise the use of petitions to raise concerns to the Mayor.
Residents in MaP have submitted the following petitions to the Speaker and Mayor, with no response:
- 27 March: Mountain View has a desperate need for water supply infrastructure, which does not exist in the rapidly growing residential area.
- 28 March water crisis: Tebang, Pereng, Bagdad, Khabisi, as the Metsi Matso purification plant is inadequately maintained, and reservoirs are too small.
- 22 May: sewerage spill in Ward 32, Tharrollo School area, apparently due to pipes smaller than those specified in the contract.
- 11 July: The bridge over the Kgopjane River was washed away many years ago. Now, a disused sewage pipe over the river is used as a makeshift bridge by school kids.
It is genuinely concerning that the Mayor ignores established mechanisms of petitions to raise concerns, but it comes as no surprise. The DA remains steadfast in ensuring the plight of residents are addressed.