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EC Government must investigate Burgersdorp water project irregularities

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Dear MyPE

The water-scarce area of Burgersdorp is bearing the brunt of alleged irregularities surrounding a Joe Gqabi District Municipality water project relating to the repair of the Chaipini’s Klip Dam in Burgersdorp, after it breached in February 2020.

The project has stalled for over three months, after the current contractor claimed the municipality has failed to pay for work done, despite there being no evidence of their appointment to do the work in the first place. (See pics here and here)

We will fight hard to ensure that every possible action is taken to alleviate the hardships that Burgersdorp residents are facing. This water crisis can also lead to a health crisis in the region.

This water infrastructure project is of vital importance to the people of Burgersdorp and surrounding areas, especially during the ongoing drought that has seen taps run dry. Residents are currently only get running water every second day, between 6:00 and 12:00.

In a written response to questions submitted by the DA Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Shadow MEC, Vicky Knoetze, MPL, the CoGTA MEC, Xolile Nqatha, said repairs at the Dam were being done in-house by the WSP section of the Joe Gqabi District Municipality.

The MEC said the repairs were being done using construction plant provided by the roads section, as well as rental equipment from a plant hire service provider.

MEC Nqatha said there was no tender for repairs and a contractor was, therefore, not appointed.

However, in sharp contrast to the MEC’s response, a contractor has claimed that they were appointed by the municipality to do the repair work, and even took over the site, procured equipment and plant hire and began work.

The contractor has, however, abandoned the site in May, after the municipality reportedly failed to pay for work done, although the contractor has been unable to produce a letter of appointment, scope of work or purchase order from the municipality.

DA Councillor in the Joe Gqabi District Municipality, Cllr Marina van Zyl, submitted official questions to the Technical Committee of the Joe Gqabi District Municipality, but, to date, has received no response.

It is clear that there are irregularities around this infrastructure project, and the municipality is ducking and diving the issue.

It is for this reason we have officially requested MEC Nqatha to send a team to Burgersdorp to investigate these alleged irregularities.

The DA will continue to expose maladministration, fraud and corruption to ensure that long-suffering communities can benefit from every drop of water.

Regards

Vicky Knoetze MPL/Cllr Marina van Zyl
DA EC Shadow MEC for CoGTA/Joe Gqabi District Municipality Councillor

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