Posted on

Rand Water once again leaves Gauteng residents in the lurch

Just one day after the vandalized Palmietfontein pump station was repaired, another burst pipeline has residents in parts of Ekurhuleni, Primrose and Tshwane left without water.

This is a double blow to many residents suffering from two pipeline bursts in five days because of Rand Water’s lack of maintenance and suffering as a consequence of Eskom’s infrastructure failure and the effect of load-shedding on the provision of water and sewer lines.

For a long time now, we have been aware that maintenance, just like infrastructure protection, has become a significant problem at Rand Water. As a result, our residents are feeling the brunt of these systematic failures.

Damaging water infrastructure is robbing our people of life and livelihoods and is tantamount to treason. This should be treated with the contempt it deserves.

It is high time that the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) step up to the plate and set up an inter-governmental task team to deal with the vandalism and protect our key infrastructure.

Posted on

DA to assess school readiness for the 2023 academic year in Ekurhuleni

Tomorrow, Tuesday, 17 January, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, Khume Ramulifho MPL and DA’s Spokesperson for Education, Sergio do Santos MPL will conduct an oversight inspection at Laerskool Birchleigh, Hoërskool Birchleigh, Phomolong Secondary School and Olifantsfontein Primary School.

The purpose of the oversight inspection is to assess the state of school readiness in Ekurhuleni for the 2023 Academic Year.

Gauteng schools are in high demand for learner placements, particularly for Grades 1 and 8. The DA will inspect if the schools have enough furniture, stationary and sufficient mobile classrooms which are needed in a conducive learning environment.

Members of the media are invited and there will be an opportunity for interviews and photographs.

The details of the oversight are as follows:

Date: 17 January 2023

Oversight inspection one:
Venue: Laerskool Birchleigh, Olivenhout St, Birchleigh, Kempton Park, 1618.
Time: 08:30-09:00

Oversight inspection two:
Venue: Hoërskool Birchleigh, 34 Maroela St, Birchleigh, Kempton Park, 1621.
Time: 09:30-10:00

Oversight inspection three:
Venue: Phomolong Secondary School, Choolorkop, Edenvale, 1624.
Time: 10:30-11:00

Oversight inspection four:
Venue: Olifantsfontein Primary School, 8 Premier St, Clayville, Olifantsfontein, 1665.
Time: 11:30-12:00

Posted on

The DA welcomes the appointment of the Mayoral Committee by Mayor Tania Campbell in Ekurhuleni

The Democratic Alliance is delighted to announce the Mayoral Committee (MayCo) for the City of Ekurhuleni.

Mayor Tania Campbell announced the following group of councillors to her MayCo:

MMC for Finance: Cllr Fanyana Nkosi (Democratic Alliance)

MMC for Health and Social Development: Cllr Jennifer Glover (Freedom Front Plus)

MMC for Transport: Ald. Mabekenyane Thamahane (Democratic Alliance)

MMC for Water, Sanitation and Energy: Cllr Senzi Sibeko (Democratic Alliance)

MMC for Real Estate: Cllr Tambo Mokoena (African Christian Democratic Party)

MMC for Corporate and Shared Services: Cllr. Golden Maduana (Democratic Alliance)

MMC for Human Settlements: Ald. Alco Ngobese (Inkatha Freedom Party)

MMC for City Planning: Ald. Heather Hart (Democratic Alliance)

MMC for Environment and Waste Management: Cllr. Brandon Pretorius (Democratic Alliance)

MMC for Community Safety: Cllr Khathutshelo Rasilingwane (Democratic Alliance)

While success will not be achieved overnight, we know that Mayor Campbell and her team will continue to drive programmes and projects that it had already begun, and the multi-party coalition has spent 10 months working to undo the damage done by the ANC over the past two decades..

The DA wishes Mayor Campbell and her team all the best as they continue to work towards restoring service delivery and getting things done for the residents of Ekurhuleni.

Posted on

DA to engage Inxiweni and Sethokga Hostel residents over delayed title deeds, illegal invasion

Tomorrow, Thursday, 27 October, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Shadow MEC for Human Settlements, Mervyn Cirota MPL and the Ekurhuleni MMC for Human Settlements, Cllr Mabekenyane Thamahane, will conduct an oversight inspection at Inxiweni RDP houses and Sethokga Hostel in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni.

In 2009, the rightful beneficiaries of Inxiweni RDP houses were handed over their house but never received their title deeds.

For the longest time, the DA has been engaging with the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements and the City of Ekurhuleni to issue title deeds to the rightful beneficiaries of Inxiweni RDP houses, and this is yet to happen.

The DA will also assess the state of the infrastructure at Sethokga hostel which has been illegally invaded. To date, the rightful beneficiaries have not been allocated to their housing units despite an eviction order being granted against the illegal occupants.

The DA will engage with the residents to ascertain the challenges that they are faced with and determine why the illegal occupants at Sethokga Hostel have not been evicted.

Members of the media are invited and there will be an opportunity for interviews and photographs.

Details of the event are as follows:

Oversight inspection one:
Location: 152-2 Mbele St, Ixiweni, Tembisa, 1632
Time: 10:00 -11:00

Oversight inspection two:
Location: Kopanong St, Sethokga, Tembisa
Time: 11:30-12:30

Posted on

Gauteng ECDs continue to suffer as DSD fails to disburse the Covid-19 stimulus package

Maphindis Day Care Centre in Mpilisweni section, Thokoza, Ekurhuleni is struggling to provide children with balanced meals and to sustain its operations due to the Gauteng Department of Social Development’s (DSD) failure to pay out the Covid-19 Early Childhood Development (ECD) Stimulus Package.

ECDs continue to suffer while children starve, yet the department has received R77 million from the ECD Employment Stimulus Relief Fund which is supported by the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme.

This centre is one of many ECDs across the province that are struggling to sustain their operations due to financial constraints.

Maphindis Day Care Centre has been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic as most of its funders have pulled out. Parents cannot afford to pay the ECD fees for their children as many have lost employment during this period. The centre is now dependent on food donations and a little money received from a few parents that can still afford to pay for the ECD fees. This centre is also struggling to pay for its operational costs and to ensure that children have access to all ECD basic educational needs.

The department received the money in October 2020, and to date, it has only paid out R37 million to the ECDs across the province which is equivalent to 48 percent of the total money.

This was revealed by the Gauteng Department of Social Development MEC, Morakane Mosupyoe while responding to my oral questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

This money is meant to help the ECD services recover from the loss of income because of the pandemic and not for the department to keep in its coffers.

Furthermore, ECD facilities are mainly run by women and therefore the slow disbursement of this stimulus package perpetuates the suffering of women.

The DA will continue to engage with the affected ECDs and put pressure on the department to disburse the money. We will also be writing to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Social Development Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Refilwe Kekana to call for an urgent meeting with MEC Mosupyoe and the HOD to explain to the committee the reasons behind the delays in disbursing the ECD stimulus package.

Failure to spend this money is a serious crime to those that need it the most as it will be returned to the treasury. The DA will fight for this not to happen.

Posted on

71% of government contracts in Ekurhuleni awarded to service providers outside the municipality

The ANC-PA-IRASA Coalition government in Ekurhuleni has exported 71.5% of its total tenders awarded in the first quarter of this financial year to businesses operating outside the municipality.

Total expenditure on procurement of goods and services for the first quarter amounted to R60.7 million, however only R17.3 million of this was spent on local service providers.

In a municipality with a 39% unemployment rate, it is concerning that opportunities for residents of Ekurhuleni are exported to other municipalities or provinces.

I have been to a light industrial business hive in Etwatwa which, at a price tag of R44million, is nothing more than a white elephant as the facility has sat vacant for two years since it opened.

If projects like this were fully operational, residents would be in a better position to upskill themselves, grow their businesses and contribute to the needs of Ekurhuleni while making a living for themselves – ultimately, feeding their families and creating jobs.

I have seen other such hives across the municipality that are in a similar state.

Public funds invested in projects such as these to assist people are nothing but monuments standing testament to the ineptitude of the ANC and its coalition partners in Ekurhuleni.

Ekurhuleni cannot continue its current trajectory.

Residents deserve a government that stimulates an environment conducive to economic growth and job creation, not a government that traps residents in a cycle of poverty and hopelessness.

Under a DA-led Ekurhuleni, centres such as these will be repurposed to ensure that they fulfil the functions they were intended to do. In the DA municipality of George, youth cafes such as these have been used to stimulate economic activity for the youth and upskilling programmes have gone a long way to reducing unemployment in economically depressed areas.

Functioning Hives will ensure that government spending is localised because the requisite skills and functions will be available at a local level – ultimately benefitting the people of Ekurhuleni.

A DA government in Ekurhuleni will get things done to ensure that Ekurhuleni works!

Posted on

Leeuwpoort Mega Human Settlement: A R2 Billion White Elephant

The City of Ekurhuleni’s R2 billion Leeuwpoort Mega Human Settlement, which is supposed to build 22 000 houses for the residents of: Joe Slovo, Boksburg ,Ulana Park, Hlahane, Driefontein, Crossroads (Roodekop Ext 3), Vosloorus, Kalamazoo and Katlehong, is nothing but a vacant piece of land.

The project, which commenced in 2017, is a multiyear project and is supposed to be completed in 2024.

However, this completion date seems highly unlikely.

Upon visiting this site, all that could be seen was a few attenuating walls and two overhead cranes that have not moved since they were delivered to the site in 2019.

See picture here

The land identified for this site is a wetland and the ground itself is dolomitic, the soils is unstable and not suitable for a housing development.

Residents whom I engaged from Reiger Park, which is next to the site – and from where some beneficiaries of this project will hail, from told me that they have had little to no feedback from the municipality as to the status of this project or by when identified beneficiaries will be moved to the site.

Ekurhuleni is home to 125 informal settlements, a number which grow exponentially every year due to the high levels of in-migration into Gauteng from neighbouring provinces.

There is a massive demand for dignified housing across the municipality, which is why the successful implementation of a project such as Leeuwpoort is vital to moving our people out of squalor.

Sadly, under the ANC and its coalition partners in Ekurhuleni, Leeuwpoort is but just another example of failed delivery in this city.

As I have traversed the length and breadth of this municipality, I have seen billions of Rands worth of failed, wasteful projects that have been of no use to the residents whom were the intended beneficiaries.

Under a DA-led Ekurhuleni, wasteful, incomplete and poorly built infrastructure will be a thing of the past.

Where the DA governs, we ensure that residents receive the services that they deserve.

The DA makes your money work for you.

The choice is clear, you can vote for a party that will continue the rot, or a party that gets things done!

On Monday 1 November, residents of Ekurhuleni will vote out a government that has kept them trapped in poverty and indignity and chose a party that gets things done!

Posted on

Ekurhuleni, vote for the DA to get things done!

Note to editors: This is an extract summary of DA Ekurhuleni Mayoral Candidate, Refiloe Nt’sekhe MPL’s, speech at Ekurhuleni’s “Let’s Get Things Done” rally.

The full speech can be downloaded here.

See pictures here here and here

Halala, DA, Halala!

Halala, Ekurhuleni, Halala!

Halala, 1 November, Halala!

We are about one week away from an election that is poised to change the landscape of Ekurhuleni.

Today we are in Reiger Park where people live without services, without dignity, and for many – no hope. An area that those in Green, Black and Gold have completely forgotten about.

If you don’t believe me, go look down the road at the site of Leeuwpoort Mega Housing Project!

This project was started in 2017 and should have provided 22 000 housing opportunities by 2024 for the people of Reiger Park and surrounds – but all there is to show for this project are two cranes that have never moved since the day they were delivered to the site.

The only thing mega about this project is the price tag. R2 billion to be precise.

Do you see R2 billion worth of development? There isn’t even one house on the identified land.

But I bet if you look in the pockets of the Cadres running this city – you’ll find these billions.

I have seen taxi ranks, industrial hubs, trading centres, development projects worth millions wasted. Our communities were not consulted with these projects and so no one is using these white elephants.

Monetary waste is but one aspect of the criminal nature of this government. The true crime is the oppression of our people – the missed opportunities to empower our people. The missed opportunity to deliver services to our people.

This is the real crime committed.

Our youth have lost hope and turned to drugs, alcohol for comfort. Unemployment has ravaged their futures.

I have seen our fathers and brothers – able bodied men, reduced to begging and turning to a life of crime just to make ends meet. In increasing circumstances, beating us women and our children to vent their frustrations.

I have seen our fellow mothers and sisters – strong women, turn to unthinkable acts in exchange for payment just to put food on the table.

Yet, the current Mayor would have us believe that this is a clean, safe, thriving city…

Are we living in a clean, safe, thriving city?

No, we are not.

There are over 1000 power outages in Ekurhuleni every single day.

Why?

Because the municipality has not invested in new infrastructure or maintained existing infrastructure.

In Phomolong, Tembisa, there is supposed to be a R70 million power station except that instead of a power station, there is an open field.

Yes, it’s a very expensive field. A power station would have increased power security for the communities of Ekurhuleni. Instead this project has lined the pockets of connected cadres.

Residents, you have the power to taste a City where people have dignified lives.

Together we can liberate ourselves from those who have taken us for granted: insulting our existence every day.

Real service delivery, real development and growth will take place under a DA-led administration.

Don’t take my word for it, even the national government agrees that the best run municipalities in South Africa are all run by the DA.

Where the DA governs, we keep the lights on.

Where the DA governs, we make sure that people have access to fresh water and sanitation.

Where the DA governs our cities create an environment conducive to economic growth so that much needed jobs for our people are created.

The DA will put you first, because you – residents of Ekurhuleni, are our most valuable assets.

You are the life blood of this city.

Ekurhuleni, I am here for you.

I am in your corner; I am your champion – I am your humble servant.

On 01 November, take up your power: this election is the last chance to rescue towns and cities from the destruction of the ANC, and stop the free-fall.

Millions of South Africans have used their power to vote the DA into government in places across South Africa because only the DA gets things done. And the 5 best run Municipalities are DA-run.

The ANC & EFF cannot be allowed to rise and work together. If they do, they will be able to change the Constitution and take away rights and protections we all enjoy. Only the DA is big enough to stop this threat, because only the DA is big enough to beat the ANC.

If every single opposition voter unites behind the DA and turns out to vote to stop the ANC & EFF can this be done.

It is only your vote that can hire the DA to fix Ekurhuleni.

This election is for you. To reclaim dignity. To hire the DA to get things done.

Posted on

ANC Mayor Mzwandile Masina must scrap the flawed Ekurhuleni valuation roll

Today residents of Ekurhuleni and I, handed over a memorandum to ANC Ekurhuleni Mayor, Mzwandile Masina, demanding that the latest property valuation roll be set aside.

See pictures here here here and here

See video here

The valuation roll process was not handled correctly by the contractor awarded the tender and as such, residents of Ekurhuleni are being billed out of their homes with exorbitant rates and taxes based on property values that are in no way a true reflection of market value.

The DA has received thousands of complaints by residents who have indicated that the ANC-led municipality is unwilling to adjust their property values to the correct market value.

The DA has submitted both petitions and motions to Council, however the ANC and their alliance partners have dismissed these off the bat.

Property values in Ekurhuleni are up between 50% to 300%, this includes owners of RDP houses and low-income homes who too are bearing the brunt of this calamitous valuation roll.

Scores of Section 49 notices, that form part of the Municipal Property Rates Act – notices to inform property owners about the increase of property values, were found dumped in open area within Kempton Park.

These letters were recovered by DA Councilors and delivered to the Mayor’s office. To date there has been no word from the Mayor or City Manager to indicate whether these letters were eventually delivered to the homeowners. More than likely, the Mayor and City Mangers silence confirms our suspicions that they were not.

According to the municipality’s Finance Department, the municipality received 47,322 objections of which 10,899 of those are Omission Objections. Objections received excluding omissions amount to 36 423 – this includes both public objections and the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) objections submitted.

The DA believes that the number quoted for omissions is incorrect, as the information we have collected indicates that over 30 000 properties were omitted just in the Northern Region (Bedfordview & Edenvale).

The chaos that this messy valuation process has unleashed on the municipality’s already ailing Finance Department is shocking.

Residents are being billed for property rates in the highest property value brackets. Residents must now apply every 3 months for an extension to pay a reduced rate because 90% of property owners cannot afford to pay these increased rates.

 

The memorandum by the DA and residents demands that Mayor Masina set aside the current valuation roll, layout a flat rate increase for the balance of this financial year until the process is done correctly and reflects the true value of resident’s homes.

The ANC and its coalition partners in the Metro are hell-bent on destroying not only people’s livelihoods, but also evicting them from their homes by imposing rates that cannot be afforded.

Ekurhuleni residents, the DA is in your corner – fighting for you and your homes. The DA will not rest until this matter is resolved because the DA gets things done.

Posted on

DA reveals R70 million unfinished Phomolong Substation; a testament to ANC failure in Ekurhuleni

Note to Editors:  Please find attached soundbite by DA Ekurhuleni Mayoral Candidate Refiloe Nt’sekhe MPL

Today the DA protested at a Phomolong substation in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, because after a R70-million budget, it remains a failed, unfinished, incomplete project – and the surrounding area constantly suffers power outages.

Across Ekurhuleni, over 1000 power outages are suffered each day due to ailing and dilapidated infrastructure.

All that can be shown for this Phomolong substation is a single top structure and an open piece of land.

Photo can be access here_ here_

I took the opportunity today to reiterate the DA pledge for Electricity Security in Ekurhuleni, if the DA is voted in to govern this Metro. The pledge entails:

  • We will incentivise Independent Power Producers (IPP’s) to feed energy back to the grid. This will be alleviating the dependency that this City has on Eskom.
  • Upon assuming office, the DA will professionalise the energy department by filling funded vacancies as a priority. We will increase capacity and reduce overtime expenditure.
  • The DA will ensure that there is proper maintenance for all electricity infrastructure in the City.
  • This will include implementing a smart stock control system within the energy department to ensure that parts are on hand when needed and that there is no shortage of stock.
  • The introduction of a performance dashboard will ensure that faults and outrages are attended to in time by alerting the energy department directly.
  • Performance monitoring and evaluation mechanisms will be used to track CAPEX project performance and hold officials and contractors responsible to account.

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) recommended the municipality employ 1500 staff  in the department, yet there are only 879 staff employed. There are well over 300 funded vacancies in the department.

It is incomprehensible that a municipality which battles with the volume of daily outages such as Ekurhuleni that funded positions for skilled technicians would remain vacant.

Compounded to this, the stores of the energy department are in disarray and no stock controls mechanisms are put into practice. When there are outages, across the municipality, replacement components are often out of stock and need to be sourced elsewhere.

This creates lengthy delays in responding to outages and extra financial costs.

Capital expenditure, as evidenced by this substation, is not spent wisely on new projects while contract prices are inflated.

In the last two financial years, the municipality has incurred R2.5 billion loss of revenue due to illegal connections while there has only been one arrest made in connection with these illegal connections.

If the ANC-led municipality was serious about providing residents with the services that they so desperately need, and spent its CAPEX prudently, there would be no need for residents to connect illegally to the grid.

Illegal connections are synonymous with a government that cares little for the plight of its people.

The lack of secure energy supply in Ekurhuleni will fast track job shedding where there is already a high 39% unemployment rate in Ekurhuleni.

The Phomolong substation stands testament to this ANC lead government taking voters for granted.

Yet, there is hope for the residents of Ekurhuleni as the DA has a plan to restore power back to the people.

Come 1 November, the DA will keep Ekurhuleni’s lights on.