VRYSTAAT. – Die Masilonyana- plaaslike munisipaliteit, wat Theunissen as hoofdorp, Brandfort, Winburg en Verkeerdevlei bedien, het volgens die DA sedert 10 September tot ‘n tragiese stilstand gekom.
Marieta Visser, ‘n raadslid van Masilonyana, het bekommerd aan Nuusflits gesê 63 000 mense sit sonder water en dat daar werklik ‘n krisis in die plaaslike munisipaliteit is.
Brunhilde Rossouw, DA-raadslid, sê in ‘n mediaverklaring werknemers het besluit om alle dienste tot stilstand te bring, totdat me. Modise, die huidige burgemeester, uit die pos gelig word.
Die volgende probleme is uitgelig: noodsaaklike dienste, wat afvalbestuur, watervoorsiening en padinstandhouding insluit, gebeur nie en het inwoners in nood. Rou riool spoel deur huise en inwoners moet self dienste bekom om vullis te verwyder. Winburg gaan onder watertekorte gebuk. Finansies is beroerd en boonop word elektrisiteitsverbruiklesings nie ingelees nie. Telefone by die munisipale kantore word ook beswaarlik beantwoord en inwoners is gefrustreerd oor wat aangaan.
“Ons is diep bekommerd dat die ANC nie opgetree het oor die saak wat tot hierdie diensonderbreking gelei het nie,” sê Rossouw.
Nuusflits het die munisipaliteit vir kommentaar gevra. M.J Matlole, die munisipale bestuurder, sê die munisipaliteit is bewus van industriële aksie wat werknemers verhoed om dienste te verrig. Die aksie het Dinsdag geëskaleer toe werknemers van hulle werksplek verwyder is en word deur die munisipaliteit as onwettig beskou. Die munisipaliteit het Dinsdag toegetree en laat Woensdag verneem ‘n ooreenkoms is nie bereik nie, maar dienste met watervoorsiening moet herstel word.
“Die munisipaliteit is vasbeslote om enige amptenare wat die bedryf van noodsaaklike dienste belemmer deur vandalisering of bedreiging van watersuiweringswerke, aanspreeklik te hou.”
Lees die volledige verklaring hier:
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is concerned that service delivery in the Masilonyana Local Municipality has come to a tragic standstill since 10 September 2024. This disruption has severely impacted essential services, including waste management, water supply, and road maintenance, leaving residents in distress.
Disgruntled employees have decided to halt all services until Mayor Me Modise is removed from office. This has resulted in dire consequences for our community, with raw sewage flowing through homes. Residents have expressed their inability to live in these conditions due to the unbearable smell. Water leakages remain unaddressed, and Winburg continues to suffer from annual water shortages, making prompt repairs essential.
Additionally, refuse collection has ceased, forcing residents to incur extra costs by hiring private services to manage their waste. The financial department is in disarray, with revenue at a historic low due to system failures and an inability to assist residents with queries dating back to 2015. Meter readings are not being captured, exacerbating the situation. The lack of communication from the municipality is of great concern. Residents report that phones are rarely answered when problems are reported, leading to widespread frustration.
The DA emphasises the urgent need for community involvement and communication during this crisis. We are deeply concerned that the ANC has not taken action regarding the matter that has led to this service breakdown. Together, we must advocate for the necessary changes to restore the quality of services we all deserve. Our community’s well-being depends on our collective action.
Media Enquiries
Brunhilde Rossouw
DA Councillor Masilonyana Local Municipality
082 460 4762
Lees die volledige verklaring wat deur die munisipaliteit uitgereik is hier onder:
MEDIA STATEMENT ON WATER SUPPLY INTERRUPTION IN MASILONYANA
Date: 16 October 2024
Release: Immediately
The Community of Masilonyana is informed of a Water supply interruption taking place as a result of an Industrial action preventing essential workers to execute their duties and responsibilities. The industrial action – which we regard as illegal- commenced two to three weeks ago citing political matters and demands which are beyond the administrative scope.
This industrial action intensified yesterday 15/10/2024 when essential workers were removed from their places of Work. The Municipality immediately engaged the union representatives (SAMWU) to resolve
the matter urgently. This engagement ended with the said Union committing to convene an urgent meeting of their members to review their stand.
We received feedback late today that there has not been a break through- however, the Union confirms that the essential workers have been instructed to restore services (particularly) water.
The Municipality is resolute in taking necessary recourse to hold accountable any officials vandalizing or threatening the operation of essential services such as the Water Purification Works . All processes necessary are been explored to protect the rights of the municipality, its workers and affected communities.
A further update will be communicated tomorrow after engagement with the Union
Representatives. At this stage- it is our expectation that service particularly – Water should be restored
accordingly!!
Issued by:
Municipal Manager
M.J. Matlole
