The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Sipho Hlomuka has expressed his concern with the failure by the Abaqulusi local municipality to maintain critical infrastructure in the town of Vryheid and the township of Bhekuzulu. This morning MEC Hlomuka paid a special visit to the Bhekuzulu township where he conducted a clean-up campaign and inspected the de-clogging of the sewer plant which caused serious health hazards to residents as it was clogged and had sewerage going into people’s homes.
In his visit, the MEC was accompanied by officials from the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs who inspected the clean-up of the sewer plant. This visit follows the complaints that were raised by community members when MEC Hlomuka was visiting the area two weeks ago.
Speaking during the visit, MEC Hlomuka expressed his concern at the deplorable state that the people of Bhekuzulu were living under having to contend with sewerage spilling over into their homes as a result of the failure by the municipality to maintain the plant. MEC Hlomuka also called upon the community members to ensure that they follow proper waste disposal guides and not throw things that do not belong in a sewerage system.
In the visit the MEC was accompanied by the Deputy Mayor of the Abaqulusi Cllr Maphisa, the Mayor of eDumbe Cllr Kunene, Mayor of oPhongolo Cllr Mhlongo and the Cogta HOD Mr Thando Tubane.
The intervention of the MEC compelled the municipality to move with pace to address the maintenance of the plant, the MEC has vowed that his department will continue to keep a close eye on municipalities across the province to ensure that they deliver services to communities.
“As a department we want our municipalities to fulfil their duties, when resident’s complaint to us about service delivery we are compelled to act and ensure that our municipalities deliver,” said Hlomuka.
Issued by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.