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The DA uncovered that the position of the Community Liaison Officer (CLO) and the Health and Safety Officer (HSO) in the oxidation ponds project in Hertzogville, Tokologo Local Municipality, was not advertised as required. The appointment of the positions without due process reminds us of various other examples of cadre deployment that compromise the ability to address health hazards in the Free State.

Since November 2021, a nearby farm to the ponds has been submerged in raw sewerage, causing a health hazard for the surrounding area and livestock. The ponds were unable to retain the wastewater because of the crumbling walls and insufficient ponds to manage the flow.

The DA pressured the municipality to take action as lawsuits were looming and the environmental impact of the spillage on the grazing land next to the ponds was also affected. Our efforts resulted in a contractor being appointed in December 2021 and the project finally being launched last week Friday.

In spite of the critical nature of this project and the problems it intends to solve, the municipality has manipulated the process and implemented cadre deployment. The municipal council has not been informed of the developments in the project. The DA has also found that ANC councillors are directly involved in the employment of workers on the project. With no transparency, the result is that unapproved names are being employed in the project.

The DA has written to the municipal manager and requested the advertisement for the two critical positions of the CLO and HSO. We will further push to invalidate the process of Ward councillors’ appointments and involvement in projects and ensure that the contractor can make appointments through a transparent system that ensures that opportunities are for all not only a connected few.

Issued by Hismajesty Maqhubu - Councillor Tokologo Local Municipality