Basic service delivery is unsatisfactory in most towns in the Free State. Through means of a survey and inspections, DA councillors from Kroonstad have determined that none of the basic services that must be delivered by the Moqhaka Municipality are up to standard.
They found that 80% of streetlights are non-functional due to cable theft; this amounts to more than 1 000 streetlights that are currently out of order.
“Moqhaka is without its fleet, and that puts constraints on the contractor, with electricity problems being prioritised over streetlights,” says DA councillor Linda Louwrens.
On top of that, roads have deteriorated to the point of being in such a dire state that action required is beyond the mere filling of potholes. Some potholes are more than 30 cm wide.
Motorists find the roads undrivable, especially those who must drop their children off at schools in the Northern parts of town.
“Non-functional stormwater drains are also contributing to the deterioration of the roads. Water pushes up into the streets because stormwater drains, of which most lids have been stolen, are filled with dirt and refuse. That makes it impossible for the water to run smoothly through the drainage system,” Louwrens explains.
Water leaks are left unattended for weeks, she adds.
Furthermore, the councillors have discovered that the non-collection of refuse contributes to illegal dumping in almost every open space to be found.
With limited resources, the waste management division cannot curb illegal dumping, even though the culprits are issued fines.
On top of this grass is seldom cut, and most street corners are so overgrown that motorists’ view of oncoming traffic is blocked.
Owing Eskom an estimated R900 million makes it almost impossible for Moqhaka to stay afloat.
“According to the DA council, the survey and inspections confirmed that residents of Moqhaka are not the main priority of the Moqhaka Local Municipality. Despite a hefty slogan of ‘Moqhaka, people’s power in action’, there is no action in getting the basics done,” says councillor Marelize Boeije.
Councillors said that they would continuously fight service delivery issues to better the livelihood of all residents.
They said that it was clear that Moqhaka was relying on business owners and residents to provide basic service delivery.
Meanwhile, the town is still struggling with enormous sewage challenges – since 2016 to be exact – and the upgrading of the sewage works, worth millions, is not yet fully implemented. Sewage flows freely in the neighborhoods, and several court cases relating to this are yet to be heard.
- VrystaatKroon has sent a media enquiry to Moqhaka regarding the abovementioned issues, and is awaiting feedback.
