The refurbishment and repairs at the sewage plant in Kroonstad commissioned by Dep Pres. David Mabuza, which were scheduled to be completed by 15 December last year, have outstanding components that are crucial in the operational process and the plant is therefore deemed still not functional as promised to Mabuza.
“Due to heavy rains during December, it is understandable that the appointed contractor faced challenges to meet the deadline, but it also came to our attention that the pledged contribution from Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs only recently reached the municipality,” says Braam Visagie, councillor of the Freedom Front Plus.
Visagie also confirms that an extension of the deadline to finish the work was granted as a result.
The Free State Legislature met with the Moqhaka Municipality earlier this month and will issue a report on its findings on the current situation.
Visagie says a planned phase two, estimated to cost a further R30 million according to the municipality, will be required to return the plant to operational status.
According to Spiro Khoury, a member of the water and sanitation steering committee, there are suspicious activities and the progress report is not in line with the actual work done at the plant.
Apparently the work done is of poor quality and below standard. According to the progress report submitted by the director of technical services, one of the screw pumps is in 100% working condition, but at the meeting with the Free State Legislature he admitted that it functioned only up to 30%.
Visagie has voiced his disappointment that an unfortunate power outage in the area at the time the legislature visited the plant, prevented them from pointing out obvious oversights and unfinished work.
“A running plant would have underlined our findings and concerns.”
Abe Nthako, a member of the steering committee, says that the contractor was given an extension up to April this year to complete the work.
Dika Kheswa, municipal spokesperson, confirmed on Monday (21/02) that the contractor was still working at the plant. He said that he would give feedback on the current state of affairs as soon as possible.
