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The lack of urgency in the promised upgrading of the water, sewage and electricity in Phumelela Local Municipality is of grave concern.

Questions have been submitted to the municipality on the progress made on basic electrical and sewerage infrastructure upgrading. The acting MM responded that phase two of the project was about to commence. But, during an oversight visit the DA found allocated housing sites with little to no infrastructure as indicated by the acting Municipal Manager.

Service delivery in the municipality collapsed as the community has been plagued by water interruptions and electricity failures due to mismanagement. Residents have paid R 10,000 for housing sites, with the promise of completed infrastructure on-site, but found nothing when they arrived. Continuously, the DA has raised questions in the council with no clear answers or resolutions to the crisis.

In 2022, the former Municipal Manager indicated that a contract was approved for the installation of additional electricity infrastructure. To date, no work has been started on the construction needed to ensure the communities' electricity and potable water supply.

Continually the municipality has given no or false answers to questions posed. The DA will not stand idly by as the municipality mistreats the residents of Phumelela.

The DA Free State Congress has resolved to introduce provincial legislation that will set out a clear process with time frames for administrators to fulfil their duties. The DA is committed to change across the country and therefore urges all residents to register to vote in the 2024 National and Provincial Government elections.

Issued by Ntombi Mokoena - DA Councillor Phumelela Local Municipality