Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by Cllr Fako Tsotetsi and Afrikaans soundbite by Cllr Suzette Steyn.
The Democratic Alliance in Mafube Local Municipality will demand urgent intervention to restore security at the water reservoir facility in Villiers, following serious concerns about the deteriorating security at this critical public facility.
This follows reports that Sinqobile Security, the security company appointed by the municipality, has allegedly abandoned the facility since April. The situation has reportedly resulted in the perimeter fence around the reservoir being stolen, leaving this critical public infrastructure exposed and vulnerable to criminal activity, vandalism and further damage. This places municipal infrastructure at risk and could ultimately affect voters and residents who rely on the municipality to protect infrastructure essential to the delivery of basic services.
The DA has previously raised this matter through our DA councillor at a Portfolio Committee meeting. Officials committed to addressing the security concerns, yet despite these assurances, nothing meaningful has been done to date.
The Democratic Alliance will not sit back and watch while the ANC-led administration continues to compromise the safety and security of critical municipal infrastructure. The water reservoir is an essential public facility, and its protection must be treated as a matter of urgency.
This development also raises serious questions about the municipality’s relationship with Sinqobile Security. The DA has previously written to the Speaker requesting the step-by-step procurement and appointment process followed in appointing the company, following concerns that proper procurement procedures may not have been followed. The municipality must provide clear answers and ensure that all procurement processes are transparent, lawful and compliant with legislation.
The ANC-led administration has had ample opportunity to address these failures, yet voters and residents continue to bear the consequences of poor governance, neglect and a lack of accountability.
Mafube deserves better. The time for change is now.