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Rondloper beeste steek inwoners dwars in die krop 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 28 September 2021 Alhoewel dit 'n dringende kwessie in Ermelo is, wag almal in spanning dat MLM -amptenare nog beslissend optree. Die kwessie van verdwaalde en rondloper vee in Ermelo woongebiede, omliggende areas en die buitewyke is al jare aan die gang, sonder enige optrede van die Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit (MLM) en die relevante departemente. In hierdie geval word verordeninge heeltemal geïgnoreer, en die wette word nie deur die owerhede afgedwing nie, wat 'n bose kringloop van frustrasie, saakbeskadiging en gevaar vir motoriste veroorsaak. Verskeie inwoners het gerapporteer dat hul honde onbeheerbaar opgewerk word deur die rondloper vee wat ronddwaal in die woongebied, veral in die De Bruin Park omgewing. Klagtes vanaf inwoners beweer dat dié rondlopers so gewoond geraak het aan verkeer en gevloek van frustreerde motoriste en inwoners, dan die diere hul geensins steur aan die kwaad wat hul stook nie. Inwoners het ook klagtes ingedien van die rondlopers wat hul kom tuismaak in erwe, en ook vullissakke oopskeur op soek na peuselhappies. Verskeie motoriste het nouliks vermy om met hierdie diere te bots, wat ‘n veer voel vir aankomende verkeer. Motoriste wat moet uitswaai, skielik remme aanslaan, en aan die teenoorgestelde kant van die pad ry om hierdie diere te vermy, is teen die tyd al keelvol vir MLM, wat Gods water oor Gods akker laat loop. Hierdie kwessie is egter nie net tot diewoongebiede beperk nie, aangesien inwoners verskeie klagtes ingedien het oor beeste wat in die begraafplase wei, en kosbare herinneringe vertrap, blomme opvreet en vase beskadig, en ander gedenkwaardighede verniel. Alhoewel dit 'n dringende kwessie in Ermelo is, wag almal in spanning dat MLM -amptenare nog beslissend optree. Op hierdie tydstip draai beide MLM en die SAPD in Ermelo ‘n blinde oog na die groeiende kwessie, wat al telkens ernstige beserings en lewensverlies tot gevolg gehad het. Navrae rakende die kwessie was op 9 September 2021 gerig aan die MLM woordvoerder, Mandla Zwane. Dié het egter die navraag doodluiters ignoreer, en het tot hede geen terugvoer gegee nie. < Previous Article Next Article >

COGTA expresses dismay with non-payment in MPU Speedy Mashilo, the 2018 COGTA MEC, lamented the financial mismanagement. Speedy Mashilo, the 2018 COGTA MEC, lamented the financial mismanagement. 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 15 September 2020 In August 2018, the recovery plan was announced to deal with the two major aspects of revenue streams, namely, revenue generation strategies and creditor repayment. However, despite being adopted and implemented by local councils, the situations in Emalahleni, Lekwa, Msukaligwa, Mkhondo and Govan Mbeki local municipalities have exponentially worsened while being under a provincial intervention. Due to the failure of municipalities in Mpumalanga, and the mounting debt accrued by these entities due to financial mismanagement and failure to collect revenue, a financial recovery plan intervention announced in August 2018. The recovery plan was announced to deal with the two major aspects of revenue streams, namely, revenue generation strategies and creditor repayment. However, despite being adopted and implemented by local councils, the situations in Emalahleni, Lekwa, Msukaligwa, Mkhondo and Govan Mbeki local municipalities have exponentially worsened while being under a provincial intervention. It has also been cited that City of Mbombela, Thaba Chweu, Emalahleni and Govan Mbeki are calssified as financially non-viable municipalities in the province. At the time, Emalahleni municipality owed Eskom R2,3 billion and was owed R3,8 billion by consumer debtors. “Despite being under the provincial intervention, these amounts increased substantially in the space of one year, to owing Eskom R3,5 billion and being owed R4,6 billion for services at the end of December 2019,” Grovè Morgan said. She said Govan Mbeki Local Municipality owed Eskom R1 billion, and was owed R1,4 billion for services which were provided until the end of December 2018. Since this announcement, the debt from municipalities have grown beyond control. Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) spokesperson, George Mthethwa, urged those who have an interest in the effective functionality of Mpumalanga municipalities to mobilize communities to pay for municipal services. “Local government is a regulated sphere or policy directed. What is crucial is that the financial distress that our municipalities find themselves in are due, in part, to the failure of some communities to pay for services. That is, non-payment of electricity and water. Unfortunately, the majority of our municipalities are grant dependent and payment of services is a revenue stream that must sustain them. However, if no revenue derived from the payment, then the financial position of the municipalities is affected.” Mthethwa stated. < Previous Article Next Article >

MLM a no-show as potholes multiply 1/18 Share GK CRONJE 30 March 2022 To date, not a single pothole had been repaired in Hardewyk Road, where the initial repairs were said to start. On Wednesday, 19 January 2022, the executive mayor, Cllr Mahlalela, accompanied by the technical services MMC, Cllr Zulu, hosted a meet and greet with affected parties in Hardewyk Road, Nederland Park, to affirm their commitment to improving the service delivery in Ermelo, especially the condition of the roads. Various roleplayers in the private and business sector attended the meeting, explaining how the community is adversely affected by state of the roads in Ermelo. The MMC assured all attendees that they were in the works of procuring the machinery and cold asphalt needed to commence repairs. Fast forward to 29 March 2022, and Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) is missing in action. Where the community scoffed at the promises made by the municipal management, the notion of distrust has now taken form. To date, not a single pothole had been repaired in Hardewyk Road, where the initial repairs were said to start. On the contrary, the state of the road is worse, not to mention 90% of the roadways in Ermelo and the surrounding areas. Road users suffer damages to their vehicles and tyres on a daily basis, with no reprieve in sight. Additionally, some of the self-repair strategies do more harm than good, with all manner of construction rubble, bricks and shards of floor tiles being thrown into potholes, which in turn poses an additional danger to both motorists and pedestrians. Most notably, the entirety of Netherland Park is riddled with potholes and sinkholes, with Ermelo East, Cassim Park and De Bruin Park in close contest. Many of Wesselton, Sun City and Nyibe’s roads are completely untraversable. The state of Ermelo’s roads has even caused a large number of residents to mention Ermelo in Jacaranda FM’s show, Breakfast With Martin Bester, along with the hashtag, #Gatvol. Several attempts from the Tribune ePaper to clarify the situation has yielded no results. Several attempts by the Tribune to contact MMC Zulu also yielded no response. < Previous Article Next Article >

Looming SAHRC complaint ruffles no feathers 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 26 October 2021 In 2014, the DA yet again wrote to the MEC, and focused on the Klipbou manhole near Wesselton. To date, the manhole is still overflowing. During the course of last week, a local businessman alerted the Tribune ePaper to an extensive sewage overflow that is polluting the Pet Dam. The pollution is to such an extent that the overflow’s stench, which is close to the old Seapike building on the swimming pool’s side, can be smelt on the opposite side of the Pet Dam. This is but one of many instance of raw sewage that flow into the Pet Dam on a daily basis, with no response from Msukaligwa Local Municipality, Gert Sibande District Municipality, or any other role players, both on local and provincial levels. The impact on the wildlife and wetland animals, especially notable the Egrets that grace Ermelo, is a cause of great concern, as the spillage eventually flows down to the Pet Dam, leaving a trail of pollution and wildlife death in its wake. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has alerted the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC on several occasions, and has been shining the spotlight on the issue as far back as 2008. In 2014, the DA yet again wrote to the MEC, and focused on the Klipbou manhole near Wesselton. At the time, the SABC was present and recorded various of the overflow sites. Seven years later, in 2021, the Klipbou manhole, along with a myriad of other sites, still spew a constant flow of raw sewage. The Pet Dam, which is being expensively polluted by mismanagement from MLM, has an overflow which ties in with the Klein Drinkwater stream, ultimately ending up in the Vaal River. Msukaligwa Local Municipality is also subject to a complaint to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) relating to the hundreds of sewage overflow site in Ermelo, Wesselton, Sun City and the surrounding areas. Scope of the complaint includes the fact that MLM and its officials fails to adhere to the constitutional precepts as contained in the bill of rights, which deals with promoting health and safety of both the environment and residents under its governance, the fact that MLM fails to adhere to the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), and also fails to adhere to section 151 (1) (i) of the National Water Act. Lastly, MLM fails to comply with the Municipal Systems Act, which recognizes the role of the municipal council in promoting a safe and healthy environment to the community. An enquiry regarding the overflow into the Pet Dam has been sent to Mandla Zwane, municipal spokesman. At the time of publication, the enquiry was simply ignored, and the overflow into the dam is still ongoing. You may view more photos and videos on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

Rubble left on the roadside 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 27 April 2021 MLM has, however, simply ignored the enquiry that was sent on 8 April 2021. During the course of the last month, road repair vehicles have been spotted in Fourie Street, where sections of the road were cut out and patched up. Initially, SANRAL-branded construction vehicles were spotted initiating the repairs, and various sections that see extensive movement from heavy vehicles were reconstructed. Vehicles and work teams from Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) were also noticed to be working on the roadway, although it is unclear as to the reason for the work done. Although many drivers consider the repairs as a welcome event, the residents and businesses in Fourie Street are not as fond of the idea. The Tribune ePaper has received complaints regarding rubble left on the sidewalks along the length of Fourie Street, where the removed sections of tar were piled up, accompanied by various materials, including tar drums and other construction materials. One resident complained that the roadworks that took place in front of his driveway impeded access to his property, and that the rubble from the maintenance has now been left next to his driveway. According to the complaints, the rubble has been left there for nearly 3 weeks, and is an unsightly addition to his driveway. The Tribune ePaper has sent an enquiry to MLM when the maintenance commenced, enquiring as to who is in charge of the maintenance, and requested more information. MLM has, however, simply ignored the enquiry that was sent on 8 April 2021. To date, no response has been received from the municipality. < Previous Article Next Article >

ACSU fnuik kriminele ACSU fnuik kriminele 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 5 July 2022 Die swaarvoertuig is in Ermelo, Merinostraat voorgekeer deur ACSU, asook plaaslike SAPD lede. Op Dinsdag, 28 Junie 2022, het daar ‘n boodskap deur gekom op ‘n WhatsApp groep, wat laat weet het dat die Ermelo gemeenskap moet uitkyk vir ‘n swaarvoertuig wat vanaf Panbult in die rigting van Ermelo reis met gesteelde sleepwaens. Die swaarvoertuig is in Ermelo, Merinostraat voorgekeer deur ACSU, asook plaaslike SAPD lede. Die sleepwaens is reeds in November 2021 gesteel, en daar was ‘n saak geopen. Tydens ondersoek is daar gevind dat die VIN nommer op die lisensie skywe, en die VIN nommer wat gemerk is op die swaarvoertuig deur die fabriek, nie dieselfde is nie. Die eienaar van die sleepwaens is dadelik gekontak deur Mnr. Bester Maree van ACSU. Ermelo SAPD lede, saam met ASCU, het die swaarvoertuig geneem na die voertuig diefstal eenheid. Die eienaar van die sleepwaens was spoedig op die toneel, en het die nodige bewyse gestaaf dat die waens wel aan hom behoort. Die twee waens, asook die swaarvoertuig, is gekonfiskeer vir verdere ondersoek in die saak. Die eienaar van die waens wil graag vir ACSU, asook Ermelo SAPD, bedank vir hul vinnige en flinke reaksie om die waens te kon terug gekry. “Wel gedaan, ACSU en Ermelo SAPD!” < Previous Article Next Article >

Bail denied for Carolina trio Bail denied for Carolina trio 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 20 October 2020 When delivering his verdict, Magistrate Sekgothe Madiba said the trio faces very serious charges, which have caused community outcry. Community members have been picketing outside court since their arrest, and if granted bail, this will cause unrest in the community. Accused of murder and kidnaping, three men from Carolina, William Wimpie Viljoen (32), Hannes Terblache (29) and Obi Nortje (32) appeared before the Carolina magistrate’s court for their bail application verdict, in which their bail was denied. The trio were arrested by the Carolina SAPS on 9 September 2020, and have been remanded in custody. It is alleged that on 14 August 2020, Viljoen, a store manager at SPAR, Terblanche the receiving manager and Nortje, local security reaction officer, kidnaped and assaulted Thabiso Sibanyoni (22) and Thulani Sibanyoni (35), accusing them of insulting one of their colleagues. Sibanyoni later succumbed to his injuries in Carolina Hospital. When delivering his verdict, Magistrate Sekgothe Madiba said the trio faces very serious charges, which have caused community outcry. Community members have been picketing outside court since their arrest, and if granted bail, this will cause unrest in the community. < Previous Article Next Article >

Msukaligwa Local Municipality embroiled in High Court showdown 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 24 May 2022 The court application further seeks that the current troika be interdicted from performing any of their functions within their relevant capacities. On 31 March 2022, the former troika of Msukaligwa Local Municipality, consisting of Cllr Mahlalela (former Executive Mayor), Cllr Madini (former Speaker) and Cllr Buthelezi (former Whip) was ousted from council by means of an alleged unlawful motion of no confidence vote. This vote, which took place without a sufficient number of councillors present to partake, has shaken MLM to the foundation. The Tribune has received documents from an anonymous source detailing the strife at the municipality. The former troika has now taken their removal to the Middelburg High Court, seeking to challenge the legality and legitimacy of the vote of no confidence taken against them. The court application also seeks that the current acting troika, consisting of Cllr Nkosi (current Acting Mayor), Cllr Xaba (acting Speaker), and Cllr Sibeko (acting Whip) should have their appointments declared null and void, and set aside. Cllr Lisa, currently serving as the acting municipal manager, and the Department Of Cooperative Governance (COGTA), is also cited in the application. The court application further seeks that the current troika be interdicted from performing any of their functions within their relevant capacities. The former troika seeks to continue their functions in the interim, and their halted benefits restored. The unfortunate side effect of the ongoing power struggle within the already embattled municipality is the further downward spiral of already stunted service delivery, further lack of upkeep and maintenance of the wards and areas within the municipal bounds, and overall lack of transparency on every front from the municipality. No direct answers relating to service delivery, and more, can be gleaned from the current management structure, and an overall lack of transparency towards the community, as well as serving councillors, has the Msukaligwa region’s community hot under the collar. The court and affidavits includes information that is not limited to the information pertaining to this article. The semi-urgent applicants seek that the court order be handled as soon as possible, as a matter of public interest, as it involves plenary powers. It states that rights such as Section 160 (3), Section 30 (1) of the Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998, as well as Section 80, have been deprived from the former troika during the vote of no confidence. Section 80 states that committees must process items on an agenda, whereafter these items are processed and approved, and sent to council for deliberation. The Speaker has exclusive rights to convene, postpone or adjourn a council meeting, as stated in the Municipal Structures Act, Section 29. Only matters on the agenda may be deliberated, where the Speaker may rearrange the agenda items. In the event of no quorum (insufficient number of present members), the meeting must be suspended for no more than twenty minutes. Thereafter, if there is still no quorum, the Speaker may reschedule the meeting. Should the majority of council members wish to convene a council meeting, and the Speaker does not accede, the Municipal Manager may be approached. However, he/she must first request permission, in writing, from COGTA’s Executive Council. The above steps have, according to the applicants, not been lawfully taken, hence the application to have their vote and appointment ruled null and void. The applicants also state that the decisions taken by the current, illegitimate troika, can have serious financial implications, such as entering into contractual obligations. The applicants also state that Cllr Nkosi, as acting mayor, had appointed acting mayoral committee members (MMCs) at the Gert Sibande District Municipality offices, instead of the Msukaligwa Local Municipality offices. Furthermore, these appointments took place during a community protest on 28 April, where the Cllr Nkosi failed to address the community members. The applicants also states that the offices of the current troika are closed, prohibiting them from performing their vital appointed functions. Councillors, as well as the community, are unable to engage with the acting troika, as an unauthorized change of locks of the municipal building has been implemented. The applicants further claim that the acting troika is conducting unlawful activities. Actions taken by the acting troika, which are deemed unlawful due their appointment, includes the reinstatement of suspended directors, revoking security detail and petrol cards, as well as grounding the vehicles of the former troika members. These are but a few examples. The fact remains that the required quorum for a council meeting to proceed is twenty councillors. Msukaligwa Local Municipality has a total of thirty eight councillors, of which a mere sixteen were present during the vote of no confidence. This, in itself, is a contravention of the former troika’s rights as presented. Furthermore, the applicants state that the acting municipal manager, Cllr Lisa, engaged telephonically with one Mr. Ngubane, head of department at COGTA. According to Cllr Lisa, Ngubane recognized the meeting. However, the municipal act states that an application must be submitted in writing, which it was not. The court application is viewed by the applicants as a last resort, as they have been stonewalled attempting every other amicable resolution to the matter. COGTA did not respond to the matter at the time of publication. The Tribune has directed an enquiry to Msukaligwa Local Municipality regarding this matter. This enquiry has, however, been ignored. < Previous Article Next Article >

Poo troubles in Pet Street 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 21 September 2021 Apart from the large amount of household refuse bobbing about in the pools of sewage, other unsavory items which include nappies, pieces of cloth and condoms, litter the area. Complaints from businesses and residents in Pet Street led to the discovery of a massive sewage overflow, with raw sewage encompassing an area of several hundred meters. Apart from the health risks associated with the overflow, where pedestrians and nearby residents have to traverse, the sewage also flows into a stream flowing towards Klein Drinkwater stream, ultimately ending up polluting the Vaal Dam. Residences on the opposite side of the read also has their fair share of sewage overflow, as the main lines were seemingly blocked. Apart from the large amount of household refuse bobbing about in the pools of sewage, other unsavory items which include nappies, pieces of cloth and condoms, litter the area. Speaking to Mandla Zwane, spokesman for Msukaligwa Local Municipality, he has confirmed that the relevant teams have responded to the issue. “According to the sewer section, two of the three main holes were cleaned and unblocked last week. Today (Monday, 20 September 2021) they are cleaning the last one. The municipality appeals to the public to report any sewer spillage to the municipal contact centre for speedy responses. Our sincere apology to the affected community,” he stated. < Previous Article Next Article >

MLM rotational load shedding frustrates residents 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 2 June 2020 Feeble excuses such as suspiciously incessant alleged cable faults on the 88kVA line, random system overloads, illegal connections and a myriad of other nonsensical explanations for inefficient service delivery on the part of the municipality only elongates the noose that MLM hands itself. Infuriated residents are left in the dark on a daily basis, since Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) resorted to rotational municipal load shedding. MLM stated that the load shedding is due to the high demand of electricity from residents, and the load shedding is to avoid complete blackout and damage to substations and equipment. While this is all good and well, the fact that electricity is not restored in a timeous manner is the thorn in the side of residents affected. Aggravating the situation even more is the fact that several wards and areas in and around Ermelo has been without water for nearly 48 hours, with no solution or information forthcoming from MLM. The call centre displays their usual sterling inefficiency, and residents are left pondering their fate in darkness. Complaints from residents also includes the fact the schedule posted by MLM are changed without informing the residents, and that the electricity supply is interrupted randomly and in conflict with the scheduled times. The largest influx of complaints are from De Bruin Park residents, where the rotational load shedding has been implemented for more than two weeks in succession, and often during peak times when children needs to bathed, and the time that any normal household would cook food for their families. Several residents have reported being left without electricity for more than 72 hours, and residents of Thusiville bears a large brunt of the outages. Claims have also surfaced that residents who purchase electricity directly from Eskom experience no load shedding at all. Adding fuel to the fire is that the load shedding has been implemented by MLM, with no information or turnaround plan released to the residents affected. Residents in John Vorster Park are left hands in their hair with the daily electricity interruptions, often being left without electricity for up to six hours at a time. Several residents have also stated that wards that experienced no electricity issues for several years are suddenly bearing the brunt of the outages, despite no significant residential development in the area. While MLM blames illegal connections, ageing infrastructure and demand that is too high, the question on everyone’s mind is how long residents will sit without electricity once Eskom implements load shedding on a national scale. Residents in Ermelo and the surrounding areas lament the fact that MLM fails consistently to provide the service that they are paid for providing. One resident highlighted the fact that MLM is quick to disconnect electricity supply to your residence or business should you fall behind on payments, but does not reciprocate by providing basic service delivery. The situation currently experienced by residents in Ermelo is slated as unacceptable, to say the least. At the end of the day, it would seem that MLM plays the blame game instead of accepting responsibility for their poor service delivery. Feeble excuses such as suspiciously incessant alleged cable faults on the 88kVA line, random system overloads, illegal connections and a myriad of other nonsensical explanations for inefficient service delivery on the part of the municipality only elongates the noose that MLM hands itself. The Tribune will submit enquiries to MLM, various political parties and the Ermelo Business Association regarding the issues experienced. Read the various responses in next week’s newspaper. < Previous Article Next Article >

Mkhondo ex-municipal manager appointed at MLM 1/1 Share Content Supplied 18 August 2022 "He excels in creating consensus among diverse groups, and he is fully committed to the creation of better life for all." Msukaligwa Local Council appointed Maqhawe Kunene as the Municipal Manager at the Special Council meeting held on 12 August, 2022. The appointment is in terms of section 54A of the Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000 as amended, on a five year fixed term contract of employment which is performance based, after a punctilious selection processes by the municipality. Executive Mayor, Cllr MP Nkosi, welcomed Kunene on Monday, 15 August 2022, on behalf of Council and wishes him all best. The Executive Mayor assures the community of Msukaligwa that Kunene is a person of high moral integrity. “We pride ourselves with his appointment and believe he will serve the municipality and community at large with humility and vigour.” Maqhawe Kunene matriculated in Cefups Academy in 1998, he passed with exemption, subsequent to his matriculation, he enrolled for Bachelor of Science degree and a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in the University of Zululand and both obtained in 2001 and 2002 respectively. He further enrolled for additional courses as part of sharpening his knowledge in Human Resources, and obtained a diploma in Human Recourse Management, as well as a Certificate Program in Executive Management Development for Municipal Finance (CPMD). He is a holder of Master in Business Administration degree from Regent Business School. He also obtained short courses in Labour Relations, Nyukela Public Service SMS Pre-entry Programme, SAMTRAC Certificate and Certificate Programme in Municipal Finance. Kunene worked at the Transnet Freight Rail in Ermelo as Train Driver and Train Assistant for three years nine months, as a Fleet and Auxiliary Manager for three years, as well as Human Capital Manager for two years. Kunene is not new to local government, as he first worked at Gert Sibande District Municipality as General Manager for Community and Social Service, responsible for provision of efficient and effective Social Development Service, which includes Disaster Management, Transversal Programme and Sports, Culture and Recreation as well as Municipal Health in the entire Gert Sibande District Municipal area. The position he served with distinction from 2013 to 2017. He was later appointed as Municipal Manager in Mkhondo Local Municipality, responsible and accountable for the management of the municipality, ensuring basic service are delivered to the communities in a sustainable manner. He was also responsible for the implementation of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and advising Council and Political Office Bearer. He served Mkhondo Local Municipality from 2017 until his contract come to an end in 2022. Kunene is a visionary, challenge driven, successful leader in both work and community arenas. He is natural and persuasive communicator, recognized among colleagues for a keen ability to energize and inspire individuals to work towards achieving common goal. He excels in creating consensus among diverse groups, and he is fully committed to the creation of better life for all. - Content as per Msukaligwa Local Municipality < Previous Article Next Article >

Vandalism rife as MLM looks the other way 1/8 Share GK CRONJE 13 July 2021 The underground electrical cables around the swimming pool has been excavated and melted down inside the building. Enterprising looters have also begun breaking down sections of the walls and chipping the bricks clean, presumably for personal use or sale. With great execrations and excitement, the Pet Dam reform project was announced in mid 2016. Golden promises of ablution blocks, braai areas, security gates and operating hours turned out to be little more than a lick and a promise. Sibongintuthuko Construction was awarded the tender to construct the Betwaview fence, which would be part of the reform project. The fence spans a distance of 720 meters, and Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) stated that the costs were covered by a Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG). According to MLM at the time, the fencing of the Pet Dam was an initiative bt Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM). However, absolutely nothing has come of the project, and to date, the state of the Pet Dam, public swimming pool and surrounding area has, in fact, regressed in shocking fashion. Since its construction, the fence has rusted, sagged and is now lopsided. Sections have been destroyed by vehicular accidents, and a section has been cut open by vandals to provide easy shortcuts to the loot at the abandoned public swimming pool. Despite promises from MLM and GSDM that the area would be spruced up, and that the public swimming pool would be, once again, be an popular attraction, the exact opposite has transpired. The main purpose of the fence has been defeated, and loitering, littering and groups of vagrants and vandals setting up camp in the husk of the swimming pool building is the order of the day. Despite enquiries from over the span of several months, no response has been received from neither the GSDM Communication Unit, nor MLM. Several instances of vandalism and looting had been reported since approximately 2017, where intoxicated residents partying at the swimming pool building damaged the building in their drunken stupor. Fast forward to 2021, and the swimming pool, building, pump house and storage room has been looted of all that is valuable. A lack of action taken by both MLM and the SAPS is to blame. Residents in the vicinity of the Pet Dam has complained on several occasions that they have reported instances of looting and vandalism to the SAPS, who in turn claimed that they either did not have vehicles, or did not have officers to respond to the complaints. Upon investigation, the swimming pool building is an empty husk. Literally everything for value has been stripped from the building. The bathrooms have been vandalized beyond repair, with basins, toilets, shower heads and taps being long gone. The pump room has been systematically looted, with the water pipes being sawn off to access the inner copper lining. The filtration tanks are being cut apart piece by piece, and will soon be carried away as well. The lower parts of the roof has been looted and the beams are missing. Even the metal front gate, which was once locked, is missing. All window frames have been looted, and bricks have been gouged from the walls to strip the water pipes. The inside area of the swimming pool is strewn with melted plastic casings of electrical cables, and the remnants of the electrical infrastructure leaves nothing to be looted. The underground electrical cables around the swimming pool has been excavated and melted down inside the building. Enterprising looters have also begun breaking down sections of the walls and chipping the bricks clean, presumably for personal use or sale. The swimming pool, as well as the kid’s splash pool, is kept full by a water leak emanating from a looted water pipe. The leak had been reported to MLM in 2017, and the municipality has, to date, failed to take action to remedy the leak. It begs the question as to who foots the bill for this colossal waste of potable water, and why MLM has failed to take action in this regard. When all is said and done, the swimming pool, the surrounding buildings and the ghastly Pet Dam are all part of the large-scale collapse of Msukaligwa Local Municipality. The once glorious swimming pool is but a shadow if its former self, with the smell of urine and feces further tainting the dilapidated image of the site. Even amidst loud, yet hollow barking from councillors who threatened to lock the gates of the Pet Dam and hire security companies, the deafening silence of utter incompetence overbears all. < Previous Article Next Article >