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Two weeks after the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape exposed the debilitating backlog of vehicle repair jobs for the Dawid Kruiper municipal fleet, there has been little progress other than the outsourcing of 78 flat tyres. The fixing of so many flat tyres at once shows just how far behind the municipality is in terms of maintaining its vehicles.

While the Supply Chain Unit (SCM) seemed to undergo a bit of a shake-up after the DA exposed the backlog of over 500 requisitions waiting to be sanctioned, with about 20 outstanding job cards per mechanic, mechanics are still waiting for parts to complete the growing number of jobs lined up at the workshop. There is also no confirmation on reports that 429 requisitions have apparently been completed.

In effect, critical repair jobs, including servicing of the Compactor, have yet to be finalised. The DA previously highlighted how the delays in repairing the Compactor have resulted in an environmental hazard, as refuse no longer fits into the landfill site, because it hasn’t been compacted.

Two new batteries have also yet to be bought for the 16-ton lorry, used for moving machinery around. The lorry, like so many other vehicles is also still waiting more substantial repairs.

In addition to numerous talks with the Municipal Manager and other managers and officials, it is disappointing that nothing much has changed. The DA will now engage with the newly appointed acting Chief Financial Officer, to try and resolve further hold-ups in the SCM unit.

Incomplete paperwork must not be allowed to bring municipal services to a halt.

Issued by The DA