An attempt to have the Special Investigation Unit investigate the executive mayor of Matjhabeng on allegations of corruption and fraud, was thwarted during a motion before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).
Allegations of kickbacks of R4 million from certain service providers, and also allegations that some service providers are ANC donors, was tabled by George Michalakis, MP-DA constituency head for the Matjhabeng Local Municipality on Thursday, 9 November.
Michalakis raised the issues of irregular appointments within the municipality and inflated invoices for work never done.
“Services within the municipality are in an advanced state of collapse and decay. These include sewage plants, roads, as well as water and electricity provision. Poor services are worsened by staff strikes and protests, and it is ultimately the residents of Matjhabeng who suffer,” says Michalakis.
On 7 November the beleaguered mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipha, chaired a meeting with Toto Nkume, MEC for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta). Also present were representatives of the Department of Human Settlement.
They discussed the allocation of outstanding sites and the completion of sewer and water reticulation projects.
Many of the old promises were rehashed and re-presented to the meeting with new promises made. Khalipha again mentioned the projects that had previously come to a standstill due to poor performance and non-delivery by the previous contractors.
He said it was anticipated that the water and sewer infrastructure project for 390 sites in Thabong and Bronville would be finalised by December.
Those in Phokeng are at 92% completion and are scheduled for completion by December.
He made a vague reference to the construction of water and sewer reticulation for Kutloanong. He stated that it would be addressed when a contractor was appointed.
The outstanding work at G Hostel is expected to be completed by June 2024, and the construction of water and sewer reticulation for Dichocolateng is scheduled for completion by February.
No contractor has yet been appointed for the reticulation project for Hani Park.
Also no contractor has yet been appointed for the water and sewer infrastructure for 500 sites in Mmamahabane.
Makume in turn announced the appointment of a contractor to address the Allanridge construction disaster by building proper houses for affected families, with the aim of restoring their dignity.
“This work is set to commence before the end of the current month,” said Makume.
Vista
reported on 26 October that Matjhabeng has 13 waste water treatment plants, but only three are operational, and there are 56 pump stations of which only five are operational.
Igor Scheurkogel, councillor in Matjhabeng said that this resulted in sewage flowing into pipes with nowhere to go.
“It cannot be pumped to the plants and now need to be extracted from the sewerage line into the stormwater drain. This is illegal and a serious environmental hazard,” he said.
Scheurkogel said Matjhabeng’s infrastructure had not been maintained in over two decades, and where a line has collapsed the sewage builds up and spills over into residents yards or into the street.
“Matjhabeng is drowning in sewage, and yet the mayor says that 70% to 80% of the work is complete. He is clearly not in touch with the people on the ground or in tune with ward councillors that have to face residents every day,” said Scheurkogel.
