Note to editors: Find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by DA Councillor in Mahikeng Local Municipality, Arista Annandale.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Mahikeng Local Municipality will write to the Chairperson of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC), Cllr Tshepiso Motshabi, to request an investigation into the possible fruitless and wasteful expenditure taking place at the Mahikeng landfill site.
During a site inspection yesterday, it was discovered that the staff on the premises are using an excavator that is hired at an hourly rate of about R800. The reason for the hire appears to be that the municipality’s two excavators are in a long-term state of disrepair (see image here).
A bulldozer has been rendered inoperable due to a radiator failure years ago (see image here). The DA was informed that engine parts for the bulldozer had been sent for repair but had not yet been returned.
One of the three rubbish trucks utilised to clean up illegal dumping in and around town has several missing wheel nuts (see image here). Even though the problem has been reported to the relevant department, nothing has been done.
The newly built weighbridge is yet to be utilised and no reasons could be provided as to why this is the case. The weighbridge has been a white elephant for about three years now.
The administration building on the premises has a similar background story: It is not yet completed, even after years of construction.
We will request the MPAC Chairperson to investigate the following:
• All details concerning the hiring of the excavator, including adjudication report, name of contractor, and lease agreement;
• Reasons why other machineries on the premises have been in a state of disrepair for such a long time;
• Costs of construction of the weighbridge and the administration building, details of the contractors responsible and the reasons why it is not utilised; and
• Long-term measures to be taken to ensure that the landfill site functions optimally.
It is high time that decisive action is taken against corruption and malfeasance in all its shapes and forms.