The Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality says it is disappointed by the fact that the Democratic Alliance (DA) does not acknowledge the efforts Executive Mayor, Olly Mlamleli, has put in place to attend to spillages and water leaks around the city.
Municipal spokesperson, Qondile Khedama, responded to charges laid by the DA against acting city manager, Advocate Tankiso Mea, for failure to comply with the provisions of the Water Services Act (No 108 of 1997).
Khedama admits that the city’s worrying infrastructure continues to pose a challenge, however, he revealed that the city is in talks with Bloemwater and is looking at ways of renewing the underground infrastructure.
“In the same breath, we are aware of the Democratic Alliance’s criminal charges against Mea for numerous issues related to service delivery. It is our view that a platform was created by the council to be utilised to not only discuss some of these matters, but to also utilise the open-door policy, as encouraged by the Executive Mayor. As the City, we will strive to deliver services as per the municipality’s mandate,” Khedama said.
The spokesperson said he is aware of challenges with regard to turn around times in service delivery and he assures the public that the matter is receiving high attention from the metro. “Part of the solution is ensuring that we fill the vacancies that exist, particularly in the directorates that are service delivery orientated,” he adds.
Khedama ended off by saying that while the DA is entitled to lay charges with the police where there are grievances, service delivery will only improve if deliberation between the different stakeholders continue in the line of improving the lives of Mangaung residents. – Pulane Choane
