EFF slams Sol Plaatje over failed infrastructure in Ritchie

THE EFF has given Sol Plaatje Municipality 14 days in which to respond to a list service delivery challenges including fixing persistent water challenges in Ritchie. 

EFF march convener Percy Thys said about 90 community and EFF members participated in a peaceful march on June 12 from Motswedimoso stadium to Ritchie Kafee. 

He indicated that a reservoir that was erected in 2017 to improve water challenges in certain areas in Ritchie was not working until Monday.

“Millions of Rands were wasted on a project that holds no benefit for the community. Some areas have been without water for five years following the water upgrade project. Pipes were connected, but there is still no water.

“Residents can’t use their toilets because of a lack of water in informal settlements. We demand that the bulk waterplant be upgraded to supply water to the broader community of Ritchie.” 

Thys said they wanted Sol Plaatje executive mayor Martha Bartlett to provide them with feedback, since she was unable to attend the march last week. 

“The acting mayor, Dioko, accepted the memorandum and mentioned a water upgrade project that will unfold in Ritchie. This is the first time that we received this information.” 

He stated that despite repeated pleas, the health and well-being of community members in  Ritchie, Motswedimosa and Rietvale remained in a dire state of poor service delivery.

“Dumping sites are only cleaned when it is election time. Households are exposed to serious health hazards when refuse is not collected for a long time, whereby illegal dumping takes place. 

“Dumping sites must be regularly cleaned by the municipality to ensure a clean environment. The total sanitation and sewage infrastructure in Ritchie is atrocious. Sewage is running down every  street and inside residents' yards.” 

Thys said that while the community was “kept in the dark” regarding infrastructure projects, they were informed that municipal infrastructure grant funds of almost R100 million had to be returned to the national Treasury because of underspending. 

“The officials responsible for not utilising these funds must face consequences, as the entire bulk water and sanitation infrastructure needs to be revamped.

“The sanitation pump stations in Ritchie do not have enough capacity and need to be upgraded as a matter of urgency.” 

He urged the municipality to speed up the construction of houses in Ritchie. 

“Over the past 20 years, not a single house has been built in Ritchie. The community were last given promises of houses during the 2024 elections, but to date, nothing has happened.” 

Thys demanded that Riemvasmaak, Matlhaku Zone extension and Vat Jou Klip and Stof Dry informal settlements be connected to an electricity supply to prevent serious threats to life during shack fires. 

“We are steadily approaching the winter season, where shack fires are common. We also call for the renaming of streets that bear no historical relevance to the community. We are not convinced that the names of streets that were mounted were approved or suggested by the community at large,

“We demand that those street names put up by the municipality without any public participation should be removed with immediate effect.” 

He indicated that local SMMEs should be given preference to partake in economic opportunities that arise in the municipal district.

Thys believed that municipal employees should be held accountable for a lack of diligence and efficiency in their daily performance.

“Officials should be monitored for being absent and neglecting their duties. We are also convinced that the overtime schedule is being abused. We call on the municipality and its leadership to take full responsibility for the way they have neglected Ritchie and failed to render adequate services to the community.”

Spokesperson for the Office of the Mayor, Keobakile Msunse, said permission was granted for the march, which was peaceful. 

“The acting mayor, Cllr Dioka received the memorandum from the EFF leaders in Ritchie

“The refurbishment of the sports facility is in the current budget, which means it will be implemented within the current financial year.”

She added that the Sol Plaatje Municipality was in the process of purchasing two vacuum jets to address sewer challenges around the municipal district. 

“The Water Treatment Plant will soon be refurbished; however, the project is currently out on tender.”