A report by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), tabled to the Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality Council today, highlights the shocking consequences of years of ANC maladministration.
The report follows an oversight visit to the area by the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seitlholo, in March.
More than 6 000 households still do not have access to running water and 37 water and sanitation projects have been dragging on for years. The extensive pollution of rivers and ground water, caused by decaying sewerage infrastructure, also continues unabated.
For instance, untreated sewage is being discharged into the Mooiriver, which poses a serious threat to the local agricultural sector. It also creates health hazards for the residents of Potchefstroom, as the river flows through the town.
It has come to light that nearly R3 billion is needed to do essential repairs to the water and sanitation infrastructure in Kenneth Kaunda. The various grants allocated to the Municipality by the national government do not cover all the costs of repairing and maintaining infrastructure.
Clearly, it has been a long time since proper planning was done to ensure that existing infrastructure is protected and maintained.
It is an absolute disgrace that the residents of Klerksdorp, Maquassi, Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp must bear the brunt of the maladministration and incompetence of the ANC in this Municipality.
This shocking state of affairs underscores the fact that voters must oust the ANC from local government in the upcoming local government elections.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) will keep exposing ANC maladministration while striving to restore effective service delivery, which will ensure a dignified living environment for Kenneth Kaunda residents.
