“We have adopted a zero tolerance towards unauthorized, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure. We have turned down for condonation of the expenditure. We are demanding accountability where wasteful expenditure has occurred.” Msibi said.

Ms Thandi Ngxonono, accused of poor leadership, also decided to duck and run, and resigned as executive mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality.

MLM bestuur het egter die Tribune op verskeie geleenthede valslik verseker dat die NMD nie verminder is nie, en dat die kragonderbrekings te danke is aan verouderde infrastruktuur. Dit is egter te verwagte dat die NMD verminder is, siende dat MLM meer as R170 miljoen aan Eskom skuld.

One resident stated that “the SAPS can go to hell”, whilst another stated that the decision to close the Pet Dam is “part of the white agenda” and that “residents are being oppressed”.

In light of the blatant disregard from residents who use the dam as a party site, and who pay no heed to social distancing and COVID-19 regulations, Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) has issued a closure of the Pet Dam, with immediate effect. MLM has stated that an increase in COVID-19 cases is the reason for the closure. The Local Command Council (LCC) has made the decision.

In Bethal, three of its sewage pump stations have not been functioning for an extended period of time. One pump was removed in December 2019, supposedly for repairs, but to this day it has not yet been replaced. And ever since, sewage has been flowing freely into the Blesbokspruit. The pollution is so serious that toilet paper and grey water are visible from a bridge, 12km outside of town, that runs across the tributary.

The spillage, which has been ongoing since 2016, have to date, seen no tangible action from authorities, and have been polluting the environment on a unprecedented scale for four consecutive years. The blockage and overflow was initially brought to the attention of Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) in mid-2016.

The fiery enthusiasm shown by the DPWRT in 2019, has fizzled in fantastic fashion, and the construction site now has transformed to a refuse dump. All manner of refuse is strewn on site, illegally so. This is a sight for sore eyes, and the multiplying mound of refuse reflects very poorly on a nearby primary school.

The warning from MLM has been laughed off, and the refuse dumping has increased exponentially. In a sad state of affairs, it is also clear that rehabilitation or removal of the current, or previous refuse and rubble has been implemented.

For now, residents wishing to renew their driver’s licenses need to take a day off work and be sure to be the early bird in line. Residents who have to renew their license discs may stand in line, or use a queuing service such as J&P Queuing Service, which handles renewals of license discs on your behalf, provided you supply the appropriate documentation.

GSDM acknowledged receipt of the enquiry, but yet again failed to submit a reply. Mr. Zwane, MLM spokesman stated via telephonic conversation that the issue is being investigated by the technical team. However, no further information, or what plans of environmental reform are, have been made known. A copy of the information, photos and videos have also been submitted to Carte Blanche, and response is awaited.

Bethal had to endure daily bouts of load shedding that lasted up to 18 hours over the last few years, as the council did not meet its obligations to Eskom. It caused immense damage to the local economy and it grossly violated human dignity.