Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Luan Snyders
The Democratic Alliance (DA) strongly condemns the deliberate sabotage of electrical infrastructure that left Rustenburg in darkness on the eve of the City’s first Ordinary Council meeting. This calculated act of disruption has now been compounded by the adjournment of the Council, further delaying critical decisions needed to ensure service delivery and governance in the municipality.
The DA calls on National Intelligence to launch an urgent investigation into the repeated sabotage of Rustenburg’s electrical infrastructure. These acts of vandalism undermine the functionality of the municipality and hinder the delivery of essential services to residents and businesses.
Additionally, the DA also expresses concern over the closing of valves inside the Rustenburg Civic Centre, which has created a serious sanitary hazard. This poses health risks to public representatives, employees, and residents who rely on this critical municipal facility. Such acts display a disregard for public health and the dignity of those attending council meetings.
The adjournment of the Council further exacerbates the municipality’s inability to provide much-needed services to its residents. This disruption stalls decisions and actions needed to address pressing issues such as power supply, infrastructure maintenance, and the ongoing sanitation challenges.
The constant interruptions to power supply in the platinum city are crippling local businesses and deterring investors from seeing Rustenburg as an economic hub of the North West province. These challenges place the livelihoods of thousands of residents at risk and hinder economic growth in the region.
The DA demands:
- Immediate intervention by National Intelligence to investigate sabotage and secure critical infrastructure.
- Accountability from the Rustenburg Municipality leadership for allowing continued disruptions to essential services.
- Swift and decisive measures to ensure that Council meetings proceed without further delay to restore service delivery.
- A Council investigation and consideration of a transformer to ensure Council can conduct its work without interruptions.
The DA remains committed to holding the municipality accountable and protecting the interests of all residents and businesses in Rustenburg. The City of Rustenburg must urgently address these challenges to ensure stability, safety, and economic growth in the region.