The mounting anger and impatience of ratepayers who demand service delivery, especially with regard to the Makhado Municipality’s inability to guarantee a continuous water supply, gave rise to threats of drastic action against Council.

The water supply to a number of households in certain parts of town is very erratic and some households are without water for most days of the week. Complaints came from various parts of town, especially in the old town, but also in the Stubbs Street vicinity. Some parts have been without water for the greater part of the past month.

“Most aggravating is the fact that the interruptions occur without warning and no indication can ever be provided as to when supplies would resume. This necessitates the expensive exercise of buying and storing water in order to provide in essential needs,” said Mr Gert Oosthuizen from Joubert Street, who had lost all confidence in local government.

Not only a lack of water supply but also other aspects of deficient service delivery are antagonizing taxpayers. Mr André Naudé, chairperson of the Chairpersons Association (CA), said that when the Batho Pele principles of the municipality are taken into account, taxpayers could be within their right to withhold taxes. Taxpayers should get value for their money.

“Compliance with a contract does not come only from one side,” said Naudé.

The CA reacted to the lack of response from the municipality regarding service delivery complaints. Naudé also responded to Mr Nigel Rushton’s distressing interaction with the planning department of the municipality, reported on last week, and to all unsatisfactory service delivery complaints.

“This issue and other similar issues must be taken up by the municipal manager and the executive committee. We demand that feedback be given in the media as to the reasons for the poor service delivery, if it is indeed the case,” said Naudé. To date, no feed-back whatsoever has been received from the municipality regarding the Rushton case.

In the meantime, Mr Oosthuizen, seriously affected by the water crisis, decided to take the matter to the Minister of Provincial and Local Government, Mr Sydney Mufamadi.

The water crisis partly resulted from the operational failure of nine of the town’s boreholes. Theft and vandalism played a role as well as deficient security and maintenance. In July, Mr Lampie Schoeman, Municipal Manager of the Makhado Region, said that the repairs were well under way and should be completed by August 8. The latest information could not be obtained this week.

On July 10, Council received an ultimatum regarding service delivery. Residents threatened to deposit the basic levies and assessment rates into a special trust account opened for the purpose. Dr Phillip Venter, Mr Peter Magwala, Mr Lampie Schoeman and other municipal officials met later in the month to discuss the problems. Following that meeting, Dr Venter said that, although the letter was delivered in good spirit, it contained no idle threat.

Although the municipality’s public relations officer, Mr Peter Muleya, promised an official response to the letter to follow after the meeting, no response had been forthcoming.

Meanwhile, still another voice was added to the demands for delivery of services which are being paid for. A resident complained about the soapy water coming out of the taps. He was unable to brush his teeth or bath in that water.

“How can a taxpayer continue to pay his monthly account? We should unite and enforce service delivery”.