MUSINA - An urgent appeal to the Provincial Government to intervene in the unbearable unhealthy conditions in areas under the jurisdiction of the ANC controlled Musina municipality, was lodged this week.

The Democratic Alliance in the Vhembe District, after a visit to Ward 3, Cambo and Harper said in a statement it was shocked that the community in the Musina municipality is living in such appalling conditions.

"The DA was even more shocked to see the wide spread collapse of service delivery. It is clear that the ANC controlled council is not able, willing or competent to deliver services to its people. The DA requests the Provincial Government to immediately intervene in these unbearable, unhealthy conditions."

The statement refers to intolerable conditions in houses built by Council. In Ward 3 it says puddles of underground water are formed in many houses. The moisture cracks houses and standing water is a shocking sight, irreparable damage is also done to furniture. "There is standing water in peoples bedrooms and they are constantly ill from these unhealthy conditions. Residents informed the DA delegation that they reported these problems to the local municipality many times, but nothing has been done. The standing water creates a massive health hazard and mosquitoes flourish in these conditions."

The DA delegation visited Cambo and saw the appalling conditions at the ablution facilities in this residential area. The toilets are filthy and there are no toilets in the houses. The flush toilets in the public ablution blocks are not maintained or even cleaned.

The residents of Harper still use the bucket system, but the buckets are never collected. The community complains about the unbearable smell. Some of the buckets are visible from outside, because the wall is broken. Because there is no alternative, the community must use these inhuman facilities even if there is no privacy and it is never cleaned.

In a media statement the DA in the Vembe district says many of the older people complain that their pensions were cut some time ago. Notwithstanding several requests, and even visits to Louis Trichardt, the problems seem not to be solved.

Members of the community complained that they applied for RDP houses since 1994 but are still without the promised houses. There are allegations that RDP houses were given to illegal immigrants. Residents say an area where RDP houses were supposed to have been built, next to Section11, shows foundations and even houses were seemingly built and again demolished.