Sol Plaatje must turn streetlights on for festive season
| by Andrew Louw MPL – DA Northern Cape Provincial Leader Error! Filename not specified.Date: 19 August 2019Release: Immediate The Democratic Alliance has today taken a stand against the growing culture of an elitist Sol Plaatje Municipality that has become a tool to benefit connected officials and councillors working for the institution at the direct expense of the people of Kimberley and its surrounds.Download pictures here, here, here and here. Hands down, Kimberley wins the “dirtiest city” award. The massive degradation of our roads is felt by all motorists. The stench of the collapsing sewerage network is smelt across the city. And the lack of the coordinated maintenance and upgrades of the bulk water infrastructure, is experienced in the ongoing water cuts that are being implemented by Sol Plaatje.The past few days are a case in point. Communication by the municipality on the water situation was reactive and quite frankly, not transparent. Kimberley residents were left high and dry, scrambling around for titbits of information on when they would have water in their taps.It is this tardiness and basic lack of regard for the people that the DA simply cannot tolerate. Even more so, when we know that the very same municipality that is slow to deliver services to the people, is also quick to serve as a piggy bank for those with the right connections.Sol Plaatje staff members and councillors owe the municipality in excess of R7 million. This includes Mayor Patrick Mabilo, whose outstanding personal debt at the last known date totalled over R200 000. Yet, the mayor, the councillors and employees in question continue to receive services – no questions asked. How and why is this possible?In contrast, the elderly and indigent residents who are indebted to the municipality, have seen their pre-paid meters blocked, some on the coldest nights this year.Where is the fairness in that? Where is the caring government in that?This begs the question, who is Sol Plaatje really serving – is it serving the people of Kimberley or is it serving the elite? Does it offer services to residents or does it offer benefits to a select few? Is Sol Plaatje a municipality or is it a mafia?The DA does not doubt that Sol Plaatje municipality has been captured.It is no secret that the current acting Municipal Manager was hastily and irregularly “appointed” to ensure that she retains control over the Galeshewe Stormwater Upgrade Project.It is also no secret that Sol Plaatje has become the new dumping ground for politically connected cadres in need of jobs. To such an extent, in fact, that National Treasury recently warned Sol Plaatje that, aside from outstanding debt and delays in project implementation its increasing salary budget is putting pressure on the municipality’s finances and negatively impacting its sustainability.Once again, where is the fairness in that?Why should the people of Kimberley, who support Sol Plaatje municipality with their har earned taxes, have to suffer and endure pitiful services while their money is channelled into everything and anything, except the service delivery that they so desire.Well, the DA says enough is enough!Sol Plaatje doesn’t belong to those who are currently running it like their private fiefdom. Sol Plaatje belongs to all who live within its jurisdiction.Today, we are therefore standing here, in front of this municipality, on behalf of all ratepayers, on behalf of the elderly and on behalf of the indigent.We want those who rule over this municipality to be worried, we want them to fear the wrath of the law and the rejection of the people. We want them to know that we are coming for them.They can view our peaceful protest today as a friendly warning that the DA has waged war on the captors of Sol Plaatje and that we will not call a ceasefire until Sol Plaatje is returned to its rightful owners, namely the residents of Kimberley and its surrounds. Media Enquiries Andrew Louw MPLDA Northern Cape Provincial Leader Shelley De WittResearcher082 847 1387 |
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