MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Far From the Rivers of Babylon

By

Dear Editor

The dysfunctional sewerage network in the Walter Sisulu Local Municipality has failed to such an extent that the lives of the residents of Burgersdorp are endangered daily.

Pipes and manholes are overflowing throughout Burgersdorp and surrounds, and a green river of sewage is now flowing down the streets and creating islands of sewage around homes.

People are falling ill, and some have been hospitalised, while structural damage is caused to homes.

Despite this untenable situation the ANC governed Joe Gqabi District Municipality (JGDM), that is responsible for the provision of water and sanitation services to Walter Sisulu Municipality, has failed to act.

Yesterday, 5 July 2023, I wrote to the Executive Mayor and Municipal Manager of the JGDM to implore the ANC government to acknowledge the dire situation and take immediate steps to rectify this. I have also asked for a plan to be provided within seven days on how this issue will be resolved. The Municipal Manager has since acknowledged receipt of my letter.

The health and well-being of our communities are at stake. It is a matter of basic human dignity that every individual has access to safe and functioning infrastructure. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure this fundamental right. Yet, the inaction of the JGDM has left residents grappling with the consequences of governmental neglect. It is time for the uncaring ANC government to step up, take responsibility, and honour their commitment to serving the needs of the people.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident; but symptomatic of a wider systemic issue that plagues many small towns and communities. Our small towns have been broken under ANC rule and the collapse of sewerage infrastructure is not the only issue. We have a total collapse of small-town infrastructure under the ANC government.

The DA demands immediate action. The people’s voices will not be silenced, and we will continue to hold the government accountable until the sewerage infrastructure is repaired and the small town of Burgersdorp is restored to its rightful glory.

Regards

Marina van Zyl MP
New Horizon Constituency Leader

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Port Elizabethan

This author is a 'catch-all' for occasional articles and letters written to MyPE. The Author of each article can be found in the signature at the bottom of each individual article.