The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape is calling on the ANC to take responsibility for Renosterberg municipal services having ground to a halt.

In fact, we challenge the ANC leadership, whose political takeover of this municipality has now plunged the institution into a total state of inaction, to come forward with their SUV’s and 4x4’s, and avail themselves to collect the refuse of the local residents. That is unless, of course, the ANC government also intends handing over a new fleet of vehicles to Renosterberg, as they have just done in Phokwane, in a desperate and costly bid to win votes from aggrieved citizens ahead of the upcoming by-elections?

Aside from refuse removal services not taking place, the rapid decline in services in Renosterberg also includes residents experiencing shortages of water, as well as sewerage tanks not being emptied.

The service delivery crisis has been brought on by the insistence of the ANC government to dissolve council and place the municipality under a Section 139 (1) (c) intervention, which has since seen Themba Loko being appointed as the administrator. This, after the Municipal Manager, Morné Hoogbaard, was just making progress in stabilizing municipal finances, seeing to it that creditors were paid while also cleaning up governance and uncovering corruption. This clearly threatened certain individuals in the ruling party, who moved swiftly with the non-sensical intervention, to stop Hoogbraad in his tracks.

Loko clearly seems in over his head, as he has not only allowed services to collapse but he has also failed to timeously pay salaries or pay Eskom and other creditors. This presents a looming risk for residents, given that Eskom may well disconnect the municipality’s power in the coming days.

The DA is appealing to Renosterberg residents to use their vote carefully during the upcoming by-elections scheduled for 11 November 2020.

The Renosterberg story should serve as an eye-opener to residents that the ruling party cares more about protecting people and retaining power, than it does about the wellbeing of residents. Another vote for the ANC may come with a food parcel, a voucher or the promise of a title deed, but in effect it will simply see the pitiful status quo in Renosterberg maintained. A vote for the DA, however, will bring change that will improve the lives of all Renosterberg residents and also open doors to new and real opportunities.

 

Issued by The DA