A contractor tasked with building a sewer network in Govan Mbeki, Eendracht, has allegedly up and left before completing the work.
The contractor supposedly started work in 2021. The ANC-led Govan Mbeki allocated over R20 million towards the project aimed at eradicating septic tanks amongst others.
At the time, the municipality estimated that the project would be complete within a year. As per norm, this turned out to be another PR exercise by the ANC administration misleading the public.
Following an oversight, we have discovered that not a single pump station has been installed. Instead, only trenches have been dug on different streets. Currently, residents of Eendracht are subject to hazardous deep trenches and uneven surface on the roads.
Overall the workmanship on this project was of poor quality. The municipality did not receive value for its money and residents are still without a functional drainage system. This goes to show that the contractor failed to carry out their duties effectively, despite being paid millions.
It is unacceptable that the ANC administration has failed to hold this contractor accountable, while they received millions in tax payers money. Furthermore, the municipality’s current budget constraints do not cater for a new contractor, thus appointing a new contractor will be difficult.
The municipality needs to take accountability, the ANC’s disregard for the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and poor contract management is depriving residents of basic services.
The municipality’s reluctance in holding this contractor accountable is alarming. Accounting Officers need to understand that they have an obligation to prevent all irregularities and take action when they occur.
We will write to the Municipal Manager, Elliot Maseko and request a report on how the municipality plans on mitigating this crisis. We also demand that temporary relief measures be implemented for affected residents.