The Democratic Alliance is deeply concerned about Phalborwa Mayor Mirriam Malatji’s premature handover of the Culvert bridge between Humulani and Majeje villages without conducting a high risk assessment.
From the onset of this project the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) raised concerns about the scope and specifications of the project. Following an oversight by MPAC to the bridge on the 31st of August 2023, there was consensus that the bridge was complete but the work was unsatisfactory.
The bridge is too low to allow for water to flow without obstruction during the rainy season and will result in flooding of the bridge. The bridge is also not tarred to protect the structure and safety barriers are not high or strong enough to prevent vehicles from plunging into the river. This bridge is a disaster waiting to happen. (See photos here,here and here)
It is clear that the reason for the premature handover by ANC Mayor Malatji on 5 April 2024 was to appease the community before the upcoming elections.
We believe that the project cost was inflated to assist in showing a 100% spending of MIG grants by the municipality for the 2023/24 financial year.
The DA will submit detailed questions on this project, including the costing, scope, the capacity of both the contractor and the technical manager to preside over such projects and the reasons by the mayor to handover the project contrary to council’s recommendations.
The communities of Ba-Phalaborwa have been on the receiving end of poor or no services and ill-conceived projects by the municipality for too long. Vote DA on 29 May 2024 and vote for improved service delivery.