This environment is unbearable and unacceptable, and we need to do something here.
These were the words of Senzo Mchunu, minister of Water and Sanitation, during his visit to Matjhabeng on Thursday.
He reiterated that it is not right for people, especially children, to live surrounded by sewage and to continually breathe in the smell of sewage.
Referring to himself and his delegation, he said, “We are here to see and take note.”
With a touch of humour he said he was delighted to see that it had rained during the morning.
“I am happy to visit here during the rain.”
During his visit to the Goldfields, Mchunu was taken on a tour of the Lakeview and Theronia Waste Water Treatment Works. The delegation also visited the collapsed sewer line in Mshenguville and the cleaning campaign at the T8 Pump Station in ward 14. The day ended with a community engagement session.
Mchunu emphasised that his departments were working in a deficit, but that projects could be successfully attempted through partnerships with, for instance, the private sector and the mines.
Referring to Bloem Water, which has taken over the capabilities of the defunct Sedibeng Water, Mchunu said this entity too was facing a change of name and structure.
The change will reflect the new water board to be established, which will serve the entire Free State and the Northern Cape.
“There will be public participation, and the public will choose the new name.
“We will appoint people who are competent and who can do the work. There is not time for friendship, that you can do in the bars,” he said.
During the minister’s speech a group of angry municipal employees started shouting in the passages. They were angry about the overtime that was no longer being paid.
Thanduxolo Khalipha, executive mayor of Matjhabeng, replied to this by saying that the municipality’s overtime bill had been reduced to R2 million.
“We were paying R8,9 million. I stopped this. Now all overtime must be approved.
“In fact, we are also going to get rid of all acting positions. I have noted that there are even acting drivers, who are actually general workers being used in this position,” said Khalipha.
He said there were 127 people on the payroll who were unaccounted for.
“They are ghost workers. There are 70 people working here over the age of 65, there are eleven people who have not worked here in five years, yet they sign attendance registers and get a salary.
“Now people shout in the passages outside. They think the minister will intervene on their behalf. This kind of practice will no longer be tolerated,” said Khalipha.
He thanked the minister for coming to Matjhabeng.
“We welcome the support we are getting.”
