When the JB Marks Covid-19 task team paid a visit to the recently erected quarantine centre at the Potchefstroom Dam resort, it was abundantly clear that this centre will not be ready to accommodate any Covid-19 cases by the 31st of July, when the centre is due to be turned over to the North West Department of Health.
There are no basic bath or shower facilities in the rondavels or the ablution blocks. Thus, even the most basic hygienic requirements cannot be complied with. There are also no cooking facilities in the housing units.
This centre is supposed to serve as one of the key quarantine points in the North West during the expected rise in positive Covid-19 cases in the province.
These problems came to light despite the fact that the task team was assured numerous times that the site is ready to be turned over to the North West Health Department.
The city council's Speaker, Elias Mogoeemang, also gave the Kenneth Kaunda District Council the same assurances on the 16th of July. The same information was reported to the province’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts as well.
According to the Municipality, the cost of erecting this centre at the Potchefstroom Dam resort already amounts to R1,9 million. The provincial Standing Committee on Public Accounts and the provincial Treasury have already questioned other co-called Covid-19 related expenses incurred by the Municipality and have indicated that the matter will be investigated.
JB Marks communities are suffering due to the ANC-controlled Municipality's mismanagement and squandering of millions of rand of tax payers' money.
The current state of affairs blemishes the reputation of a once prosperous municipality.
Contact details: 076 294 2998
;
