The EFF in Limpopo Condemns the pocketing of R37 million

Ga-Phaahla

 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Limpopo has condemned the alleged looting syndicate that robbed the people of Ga-Phaahla village in Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality of R37 million meant for sand water extraction and reticulation project in the area.

 

This comes after a member of provincial legislature George Raphela made an oversight visit to enquire reasons why, the community in Ga-Phaahla does not have drinkable water.

 

“We are here to investigate the reasons why the community in Ga-Phaahla does not have drinkable water, and we have realized that this problem is caused by those in power,” said Raphela.

 

“During our visit we noticed that there is an overflow pipe, which indicates that water is present, but the community is unable to access it, “added Raphela.

 

Raphela said the project has been commissioned in 2017 and was set to be completed within 12 months.

 

“The old infrastructure that was here was able to provide the community with water,” said Raphela.

 

Meanwhile the EFF coordinator in the province Rebeca Mohlala said contractors pocketed millions of rand and left the Ga-Phaahla residents without safe drinkable water.

 

Mohlala said seven years down the line, the taps of Ga-Phaahla are still dry, water infrastructure is being vandalized and machines stolen while the residents struggle to get a reliable supply of water.

 

“What is happening in Ga-Phaahla is shameful and the situation is dire to the core, as if the ANC government does not exist. This uncaring and unresponsive ANC led government is undermining the people of Ga-Phaahla, in the recent past the community protested over the water shortages but this did not bear the desired results,” said Mohlala.

 

“Anyone who criticizes the ANC government for its lackluster performance in

servicing the people becomes a target, Kgoshi Letsiri Phaahla is one good example, the chief was purged and dismissed from CONTRALESA for sharply raising poor service delivery issues in the area and taking the district municipality to task over severe water shortages,” she said.

 

Mohlala said the thorny issue is that the project has not yet been handed over to the community but already the pump station and the pressure pumps are faulty.

 

Adding that security guards’ protecting the water plant, sleeps inside the pump station as their guardroom is dilapidated.

 

“We discovered that there are enough sources of water in the area from sand water to underground water, which could effectively augment water provision to the poor residents who have been neglected,” Mohlala confirmed.

 

She said two reservoirs are now white elephants, with another pump station that was supposed to pump water to a steel tank subjected to cable theft, resulting in the malfunctioning of water pumps.

 

“The EFF is disappointed that the launch of the project that was expected to bring the much needed relief to the affected community, has been reduced into some money making schemes by the ANC. Water is life and people cannot live without it. Therefore the EFF will lodge a formal complaint with the Public Protect, calling for an investigation into the multimillion water project of Ga-Phaahla village,” she said.

 

“We demand the Sekhukhune District Municipality to take responsibility and take the community into confidence about the status quo of the project, access to water is a basic need and it is none negotiable,” she concluded.