Note to Editors: Please find the attached soundbite in English and Afrikaans by Cllr Jan Van Rhyn, the DA Caucus Leader in Madibeng Local Municipality.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Madibeng noted with concern the City of Tshwane’s decision to reduce and restrict water supply to parts of the municipality due to non-payment of the bulk water account.
Madibeng Municipality owes the City of Tshwane more than R243 million for water and electricity usage.
Hartbeespoort and surroundings will be severely affected.
The payment agreement plan proposed by Tshwane required a R10 million initial downpayment before the end of August, servicing the monthly bulk account in full, and then paying an additional R6 million every month to reduce the larger outstanding debt.
Madibeng entered into the payment agreement but requested Tshwane to keep the water restrictions at 50%.
This is unacceptable.
Attempts by the DA to discuss the matter with the Municipal Manager, Mr Noko Seanego, were unsuccessful, but we will persist in our efforts to ensure that the residents do not carry the burden of the ANC-led government’s complete incompetence.
It is always the people that have to suffer the brunt of poor service delivery, while fat cat ANC politicians and senior municipal officials enjoy handsome salaries.
The non-payment of debtors by the Madibeng Municipality is the norm rather than the exception. Just last week service providers staged a protest in the municipal building due to non-payment, with refuse being dumped inside the building.
Both the North West Provincial Government and the municipal administration carry the blame for the collapse in governance and service delivery in Madibeng.
The municipality has been under Section 139 Administration for several years due to its general dysfunctionality, but as always, provincial government interventions often collapse any semblance of governance and service delivery.
DA governments pay debtors on time and deliver basic services in a reliable and sufficient manner.
The people of Madibeng have an opportunity in October to once and for all reject this incompetent ANC government and vote in a DA administration that will immediately prioritise the people first.