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Service delivery in Gamagara municipality has collapsed as municipal vehicles have come to a standstill.

The contract for municipal vehicles was suddenly terminated on Wednesday, without interim measures put in place. Thirteen light duty vehicles and three utility bakkies are effectively out of action. All, expect for one of Kathu’s refuse trucks, are awaiting roadworthy tests and licensing, which has been delayed due to non-payment to Olifantshoek private testing station.

Meanwhile, a cable theft incident in Mapoteng has resulted in water and electricity outages. Water is running down the streets. Sewage is spilling onto roads and into yards because of unblocked drains. Uncollected refuse is scattered all over.

DA councillors have offered to drive municipal staff to sites where urgent repair work is needed but our offer was declined.

Our urgent appeals for answers from the acting Municipal Manager are either ignored or responded to in his own time. Even in my capacity as an Exco member, I have received no feedback. Instead, DA councillors are being threatened with disciplinary action for persistently trying to get the municipality to respond to this crisis, while other opposition parties remain silent.

Not only do we seek an urgent end to this immediate crisis, but also a long-term solution to securing municipal transport that offers value-for money.

The current fleet provider is billing Gamagara R280 000 per month for the rental of vehicles, which excludes fuel.  While the DA has on several occasions proposed that Gamagara should investigate the procurement of its own vehicles, we are also opposed to the proposal by the service provider for us to purchase their rental vehicles, which are in a very bad state, at a cost of millions of rands.

The DA will continue to demand answers from the Acting MM and report this matter to COGHSTA MEC, Bentley Vass. The municipality owes it to residents to get moving again.

Issued by Henriette du Plessis, Cllr - DA Caucus Leader in Gamagara municipality