The FF Plus yesterday accompanied the acting city manager, Mr Sello More, of the Mangaung Metro Council, which serves Bloemfontein, Botshabelo, Dewetsdorp, Mangaung, Soutpan, Thaba Nchu and Van Stadensrus, on a visit to Dewetsdorp's reservoir and dumping site to point out to him the town's serious water and service delivery problems.
The FF Plus also proposed solutions aimed at alleviating the problems in the short term and ultimately resolving them over the long term.
The head of the Metro's Department of Infrastructure, Mr Mlondolozi Ndlovu, also accompanied the group and concurred that service delivery in Dewetsdorp must be prioritised.
The officials undertook to take immediate action to address the water problems and resolve them in the next few days. During this process, it will also be determined whether the pipeline that was installed in 2019 can still be used.
Even if the problems at the pump station are resolved, that alone will not solve the bigger issue of restoring reliable water supply to the town.
A new reservoir was constructed in 2014, but could not be used since day one as a result of poor workmanship – a good example of the negative effects of awarding tenders to incompetent cadres.
With regard to the dumping site, More undertook to procure compactors, bulldozers and other equipment required to get the site properly functioning again as soon as possible.
One of the main causes of the poor condition and the service delivery problems of Dewetsdorp is the dissolution of the Naledi Local Municipality so that it could be assimilated into the Mangaung Metro.
This reaffirms the FF Plus's view that municipal control and management must be devolved to the lowest possible level to enable residents to manage their services themselves.
The FF Plus welcomes the city manager's undertaking to resolve the problems. Talk, however, is cheap and the party will ensure that these promises are delivered on.
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