Note to Broadcasters: Please find linked soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Cllr Johannes le Grange.
The DA in the City of Matlosana Local Municipality is concerned with Municipal Manager Lesego Seametso’s continuous failure to appoint a competent service provider for refuse removal.
Refuse bags are piling up on street curbs, outside people’s homes and on street corners in town, while the number of illegal dumping sites are increasing by the day. Uncollected refuse attracts vermin and is a growing health risk to residents.
Residents are forced to pay for the private removal of refuse while the City of Matlosana bills them for this service every month.
Matlosana appointed Dikopane to deliver refuse removal services, but the contract was suspended after two and half years because of a discrepancy in its bid application regarding the company’s experience. Since the suspension, several other companies have been appointed on a random basis.
Matlosana appointed Sebenza, but the contract was also terminated due to non-compliance with the truck’s roadworthiness.
On 19 June 2023, after the DA consistently raised concerns about the erratic refuse removal service, Matlosana appointed Molahlwa through Emergency Procurement Regulation 36. We objected to this appointment since the appointment does not comply with the Municipal Supply Chain Management Regulations.
The Matlosana Municipal Manager (MM), Lesego Seametso, failed to adhere to a Council Resolution adopted in June 2023 which mandated her to appoint a competent service provider through a competitive bid process. Katlamba Pty (Ltd) was appointed once again through Emergency Procurement Regulation 36 but failed to commence since Monday, 18 September 2023.
Allegations are doing the rounds that once again, the refuse removal trucks from Dikopane would be subcontracted. According to the Supply Chain Management Act, no more than 25% of the contract can be subcontracted.
MM Seametso is either incompetent or has been captured by the ANC’s corruption network and is fast becoming a liability to the municipality as service delivery continues to deteriorate.
The DA will report the appointment of Katlamba Pty (Ltd) to the Hawks and the Auditor-General for inclusion in their investigations into the contracts awarded irregularly for refuse removal.
We will also table a motion in Council to suspend the MM pending an investigation into her competency.
It is important for residents to register to vote DA in the 2024 national elections because it is proven that where the DA governs, service delivery is prioritised and cadre deployment is non-existent.
The DA in Matlosana will continue to fight for improved service delivery for all Matlosana residents.