The Makhado Municipality is proposing a new township, Louis Trichardt Extension 13, east of Leeu Street. Nearly 1000 erven are being staked out, including 882 residential 1 erven, four business erven, three church erven, and one erf each for a high school, primary school and pre-school. There will also be erven for group housing, social housing and public open spaces. According to the town planning section, the municipality is assisted by the Department of Local Government and Housing and has appointed Mampele Development Planners together with Management and Development to prepare and lodge an application. No time frames were given.

Taking into account the water problems of the town and the problems with the new reservoir at Mowcop that has not been not completed, the municipality was asked how they planned to supply water.

“In terms of water supply, the township will be adjacent to Louis Trichardt Extension 2 Township that is already being serviced. There is also an existing internal water pipeline and a number of mini electrification feeder lines cutting across the land. The municipal water pump station is also situated on the site,” said Mr Louis Bobodi, municipal spokesperson, on February 8. He said that the sewerage network will be connected to the existing network.

The Democratic Alliance questions the feasibility of the 1000 new erven being staked out.

“The municipality cannot even service the existing ratepayers to provide them with sufficient services. How could they plan on developing a new area if they cannot even render proper services?” asked DA Councillor Mr Brian du Plooy.

The Soutpansberg Rate Payers Association is highly concerned about the “uncoordinated development” instituted by the Makhado Municipality and the Department of Local Government and Housing.

“Again these institutions disregard the dilapidated state of water, sewerage, roads, storm water drains, and other infrastructure of Louis Trichardt,” said Mr Herman Smith of the SRPA.

Smith said that on 24 October 2007, the SRPA was invited to a meeting so “that the requirements of public participation as set out in chapter 56 of the regulations (NEMA, 1998 as amended 21 April 2006) is achieved” and also that “the views and concerns of all interest and affected parties be addressed.”

At the meeting, concerns were raised and proposals were made in respect of the water availability, sewerage disposal, roads and traffic, especially in Leeu Street, and were noted by a secretary of JIS Environmental Engineers. Concerns were also raised in respect of the proposed size of some of the erven. It was promised by JIS that all concerns would be addressed and a next meeting would be called as soon as possible.

No follow-up meeting was called and, to the SRPA’s amazement, the Provincial Government proclaimed that all requirements had been met.

At the meeting it was stressed that water quality and quantity should be guaranteed by the water service authority, the Vhembe District Municipality.

“Louis Trichardt, and especially the area where this development is being contemplated, is plagued with water shortages due to the inability of the Makhado and Vhembe municipalities to provide proper services. The incomplete Mowcop reservoir is an example of the inability of these municipalities to provide services to the taxpayers,” the SRPA said.

DA Cllr du Plooy said that the proper water service agreement is still not in place between the Vhembe District Municipality and the Makhado Municipality.

“The problems surrounding that agreement are outrageous. Five hundred employees need to be taken over from Vhembe Municipality, mostly after all qualified personnel have been employed by Vhembe District Municipality. The municipality will not be able to afford the additional salary bill and the income from water is not even enough as a current income to the municipality,” Du Plooy said.

The sad fact that the sewerage plant is in disrepair and is not capable of handling 30% of the present effluent is a great concern to taxpayers.

“Through a new development, sewerage contamination will be enhanced and will pose a greater danger to the health of all the residents of the Makhado municipal area. If there is no water to be pumped and no sewerage facilities to purify the raw sewerage, how will the municipalities cope?” asked Smith.

Some residents have the perception that the new development is short-term gain for the municipality, but long-term trouble for the town. To this perception, Bobodi responded: “We did not do that for gain but for the development of the town and to assist the potential residents of the town. The situation will be under control. There is no need of fearing the unknown.”