DA lashes-out EMLM SOMA during a debate

Marble Hall

The Mayor of Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality (EMLM), Cllr Given Moimana, has received a tongue lashing from the Democratic Alliance (DA), during the debate of his recent State of the Municipal Address (SOMA).

Moimana presented his SOMA speech two weeks ago at Manapyane Sports Grounds, while the debate on the commitments he made during the SOMA presentation, was held during a special council meeting on Monday, in the municipal chamber in Marble Hall.

Opening the debate session, Moimana said the local municipality have plans in place to ensure that it spends 100% of Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) allocation to deliver sustainable services to the people.

“We should reduce the unauthorized and irregular expenditure. During this fifth administration, we are going to do away with wasteful and fruitless expenditure,” he said.

The Mayor made a clarion call to all councillors to do Letsema Campaign in their respective wards and villages to fix potholes and clean the environment.

However, DA Councillor in EMLM Ward 7, Flip Jacobs, said the party cannot continue to hear unfulfilled promises and want to see action to start believing on what the mayor delivered on his SOMA speech.

“A couple of months ago, a house in town went up in flames. The fire engine arrived and no one on the truck knew how to connect the couplings or hoses. The house burnt to the ground. For many people, and it was recorded, seeing was believing. What will happen at the next fire? A life could be lost,” he said.

Jacobs added that the party is also concerned about a mind blowing filthy and illegal dumping site, situated just one block from the main road in town.

“Thousands of broken bottles, the smell of human urine and the flies hanging around the human faeces. It is disgusting, it is unhygienic and a den of drug use. Nothing has been done by this municipality to clean up the mess, or to deal with the dumping or take action against the illegal dumping in the area,” he said.

Jacobs lambasted the municipality for not addressing the poor state of Silo’s Road, which he said it is used by the farming trucks that transports grain to town.

“The road is used by farmers and is in total despair. While farming is the biggest employer of people in this area and also the highest payer of rates and taxes, farming trucks are finding it harder and harder to access the Silo’s. Nothing is being done by this municipality to look after those upon whom this town depends on,” explained the councillor.

Jacobs said most concerning, is the issue of a leaking water gantry, whereby, hundreds litres of water are been lost every hour, despite R5 Million paid to a service provider to ensure its proper functionality.

“We need to know who got this tender and how R5 Million was justified. All the while, people in the area have not seen running water for years. Some are still having to draw water from holes in the ground with the goats and cattle,” he said.

 

Jacobs said the mayor needs to consider the enforcement of traffic police laws and address the state of poor state of roads in Marble Hall Town.

“The Traffic Department is shambolic with staff not being there and lack of proper working testing station. We have become a lawless town where by-laws and traffic laws are no longer enforced. The state of roads in the area is fast declining. Infrastructure is collapsing. The shocking state of Sekhukhune District Municipality’s finances means that no over time will be paid, even for critical repairs,” he cited.

Jacobs also rejected the allocation of R3 Million to be spent on the Leeuwfontein stadium projects again, saying the sums spent in recent years at the sporting facilities have come to naught.

“They are seldom used and instead of supplying people with tanks for water, you supply them with tennis courts when no one in the area owns a racket, let alone a ball. Surely supplying the means for life sustaining water is more important than a tennis court,” he said.

Jacobs said however, the party is pleased with the local municipality’s unqualified audit opinion in the 2020/2021 financial year.