The chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa), Mkhuleko Hlengwa, lashed out at the Theunissen-based Masilonyana Local Municipality for failing to maintain its wastewater treatment and purification plant, as well as not refurbishing two sewerage pump stations. Whilst on a two-day oversight visit in the Free State, Hlengwa mentioned that the municipality had for years neglected the infrastructure which he says is minimally maintained.

During the visit, Hlengwa added that the committee found no activity at the water treatment plant, based in Brandfort, and no one from the municipality could say with certainty when last the contractor was on site. Hlengwa was flanked by the deputy minister of Cooperative Governance (Cogta), Thembisile Nkadimeng, and they are set to meet with officials later on Thursday.

The committee also expressed its shock and disappointment when visiting the Theunissen Water Treatment Plant which had broken water pump equipment lying on the premises, when the plant had already experienced the theft of equipment, as well as a second attempted robbery. “The question that fundamentally lingers is why there is a slow pace in consequence management in the face of glaring failures in the municipality.

“The oversight visit to the municipality follows a petition by residents, calling on Parliament to assist them as the municipality failed to deliver basic services. The municipality has received five consecutive disclaimed audit outcomes from the Auditor-General,” Hlengwa further adds.

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