The FF Plus lodged a criminal complaint against the acting Municipal Manager of the Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality (Phalaborwa), Dr Kgoshi Lucas Pilusa, and Ms Miriam Malatji, the Executive Mayor, because some Phalaborwa residents have been without water or power for nearly three weeks.
The criminal complaint was lodged at the Ba-Phalaborwa Police Station and stems from complaints received from the community, which approached the party for assistance.
The Municipality failed to adequately address the water crisis, even though the party has sent several letters demanding immediate action since March this year.
The Municipality is under legal obligation, in terms of the Water Services Act 108 of 1997 and the National Water Act 36 of 1998, to supply potable water to its consumers, the residents of Phalaborwa.
The Municipal Manager is the Municipality’s accountable officer and Mr Pilusa currently fulfils that role, while the Executive Mayor, Ms Malatji, is meant to fulfil an oversight role.
Despite the FF Plus’s calls for urgent action, parts of the town were destroyed by devastating fires in September because there was no water available to put out the fires.
Phalaborwa residents have been plagued by frequent water shortages for about two years now and with the heat wave currently experienced by the province, they can no longer wait for something to be done.
It is particularly difficult for the residents of local homes for the elderly.
The FF Plus will keep up the pressure while monitoring the situation.
Loyal taxpayers deserve better than the ANC’s mismanagement of the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality.
The only way to save South Africa is to register and vote to get rid of the ANC and replace it with a competent and accountable coalition government of which the FF Plus is part.
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