The Democratic Alliance in Lephalale has been inundated with concerns from residents about the fact that their taps are dry, amidst the shoddy efforts by contractors of the municipality, to upgrade and maintain the town’s dilapidated water system
On-going projects by several contractors to replace sections of the water pipeline in Lephalale were reported as sub-standard on 16 of September 2024 by DA Councillor, Sybil Nieuwoudt, when residents were left without water for more than a week.
During a council meeting on 29 October 2024, it was confirmed by the newly appointed Executive Manager of Infrastructure, Mr Shiko, that the contracts were scheduled to finish by 31 October 2024 and that penalties would be levied against all contractors that do not complete work on time.
Several contractors have requested an extension which were denied according to the municipality.
The temporary pipelines installed to ensure constant water supply during new installations are too small and cannot sustain the water pressure. These pipes constantly kick out at connection points which is causing massive water leaks.
It is concerning that the municipality is not holding contractors to contract stipulations. This failure impacts directly on the livelihoods of the residents as well as businesses in and around Lephalale.
Whilst residents were left without water and zero communication on the status of the crisis, the Municipal Manager as well as the Executive Managers for Infrastructure and Water and Sanitation attended a luxury IMESA (Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa) conference in Cape Town from 5 to 8 November 2024.
We are sure that the Municipal Manager and Executive Managers enjoyed their time in DA-run Cape Town where services are delivered, infrastructure works, projects run on time, and clean water flows from the taps. But the reality in Lephalale, on their return, is nothing like that.
The DA is now launching a petition to show the municipality what they are intentionally ignoring: The residents of Lephalale are tired of dry taps and the violation of their constitutional right to water. The Municipality must get its contractors in order, and get the project finished.
We refuse to accept further incompetence from the municipality as well as from contractors. Enough is enough!