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As winter takes its toll on Dihlabeng Local Municipality, the community is left to bear the brunt of a dysfunctional water infrastructure system. Years of neglect by the municipality have resulted in burst water pipes and leaks becoming a daily occurrence, causing water shortages.

Repairing these water infrastructure issues is a daunting task, with extended repair times due to the unavailability of essential equipment like TLBs and the procurement challenges faced in acquiring necessary parts. The situation is exacerbated as repairs often leave open holes, posing significant safety risks that could lead to injuries or vehicle accidents.

Despite the urgent need to address these pressing concerns, the municipality has adjusted the fleet budget to a mere R2.5 million for the next financial year, diminishing hopes of securing a TLB digger/loader and resolving the infrastructure crisis. Additionally, the absence of a Section 80 Public Works meeting since February 2023 further impedes the discussion and resolution of these issues in the council.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Dihlabeng will not relent in advocating for change. We will continue to push for the urgent convening of a Section 80 meeting to address the water infrastructure crisis and related financial mismanagement. We firmly believe that the only sustainable solution lies in electing the DA that has a proven track record of effective governance.

We urge all residents of Dihlabeng to take action by ensuring they are registered to vote and casting their ballots for the only viable solution. The community deserves better than the current state of affairs. Together, we can bring about the change and improvement our municipality urgently needs.

Issued by Willie Theunissen - DA Councillor Dihlabeng Local Municipality