In what many might see as a breakthrough in terms of raising awareness within the Makhado Municipality about the appalling state of the town’s infrastructure, a media release was issued this week in which a number of burning issues are acknowledged by the municipal spokesperson, Mr Louis Bobodi.

In the release, the municipality acknowledges the "poor state of roads in town as a result of poor maintenance and ageing streets that continually pose maintenance problems. Other areas that require vigorous municipal interventions are water and sanitation. To compound the problem, the municipality is currently faced with financial constraints to deal with all the infrastructural challenges at hand."

This statement appears to be at odds with the denial supplied last week by Mr Bobodi to the effect that no crisis currently exists with regard to the municipality’s finances.

In terms of the current problems with the intermittent water supply to residences, the release states that "the current water supply is under strain due to the demand and diminishing supply resulting from the current exponential growth development". A request was made to the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) for funds to remedy the situation. A 10-megalitre reservoir is currently under construction at Mowkop and this project is expected to be completed in August this year. Two additional boreholes are also being developed at Nooitgedacht to augment the water supply.

More water is coming the town’s way through a bulk line being established from the Nandoni Dam to supply water to Louis Trichardt and the Kutama-Sinthumule area. This project is scheduled to be completed by 2010. A contractor has also been appointed to conduct maintenance on the current supply line from the Albasini Dam (see report elsewhere).

With regard to the sewage system, the release acknowledges that the current system is insufficient to render effective service. In this regard, the municipality has appointed a service provider to refurbish the infrastructure and do medium-term interventions to the system. The VDM has appointed service providers to refurbish the overburdened system, an undertaking which is currently underway.

"Meetings are held with all the service providers to maximize value for money and avoid duplications as they are working on the same infrastructure," reads the statement. It also indicates that funds have been requested from the VDM for the 2008/9 financial year for the development of a new waste treatment works.

Regarding solid waste management, the release indicates that the existing waste facility is being filled up. The Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism is funding the development of the new waste facility, for which an amount of R7,9 million has been allocated.

"The state of roads within the municipality is a big concern for the council … It is for this reason that the Council has resolved to allocate a substantial amount to reconstruct, refurbish and upgrade the Louis Trichardt municipal roads," reads the statement. If the municipality keeps it word, there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel for residents.