Sol Plaatje denies mayor dodged deputy minister

THE OFFICE of the Mayor has rejected claims that Sol Plaatje executive mayor Martha Bartlett neglected her duties during Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation Sello Seitlholo’s recent inspection visit to Kamfers Dam and the Homevale Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Seitlholo expressed frustration that the city engineer and the chief director of infrastructure were the only two officials from Sol Plaatje Municipality who attended the site visits, where he encountered environmental pollution, deteriorating infrastructure and bickering among officials. 

The spokesperson for the Office of the Mayor, Keobakile Musunse, said the deputy minister had made unsubstantiated allegations against Bartlett.

“The remarks are regrettable, inaccurate and risk undermining the ongoing co-operative efforts between the municipality and national government in critical water and sanitation challenges,” said Musunse.

She explained that at the time of the visit, the mayor was engaged as the political head of the municipality, overseeing the Ward 1 by-election. 

“This was not only a constitutionally mandated responsibility but a political imperative as the by-election was the third one that was held in Ward 1 since the 2021 local government elections. The outcome of this by-election had direct implications for the stability of council, making the presence of the mayor both essential and legitimate.” 

Musunse pointed out that despite still recovering from an illness, the mayor nonetheless fulfilled her duties by supporting and overseeing a peaceful, free and democratic by-election.

“She takes both her duties as a public servant and political leader seriously.” 

She further emphasised that the mayor’s absence from the oversight inspection did not hinder co-operation with the deputy minister.

“The mayor delegated the responsibility to a member of the mayoral committee, while the municipal manager, senior officials and technical staff were available to engage with the deputy minister. The team provided the deputy minister with a comprehensive briefing on the ongoing efforts to address the wastewater and environmental concerns at Kamfers Dam.” 

Musunse said the municipality had committed to submitting a full report to the deputy minister, detailing all expenditure from previous financial years, within seven days of his visit on July 22.

“Any allegations of deliberate inaction or negligence on the part of the executive mayor are categorically denied.  The executive mayor has consistently prioritised water and sanitation as key components of the Integrated Development Plan and has engaged with the national Ministry of Water and Sanitation in good faith on these issues.” 

She stressed that while the municipality welcomed oversight and constructive criticism, “political grandstanding and the dissemination of incomplete or misleading information” did not serve the interests of the community or co-operative governance.

“We call on all spheres of government to engage with one another through proper channels and with the mutual respect that our offices and the people that we serve deserve.” 

Musunse concluded that the executive mayor remained committed to improving infrastructure, protecting the environment, and restoring public confidence through action and partnership.

“The executive mayor welcomes all future engagements with the Ministry that are constructive, solution-oriented and in the interests of our residents.” 

Scathing

Musunse's comments follow a scathing critique by Seitlholo during his oversight visit on July 22. The deputy minister placed the blame for the ongoing environmental crisis at Kamfers Dam and failing infrastructure squarely on the municipality, accusing senior leadership of failing to show up and of lacking the political and administrative will to fix the problem.

He voiced disappointment that only two municipal officials — the city engineer and the chief director of infrastructure — had accompanied the delegation on site visits, while the executive mayor, municipal manager and the mayoral committee were absent. Seitlholo alleged that this was not the first time municipal officials had failed to attend because of political differences, saying he was tired of “childish behaviour” and warning that poor governance and inaction would no longer go unpunished.

He further warned that unless the municipality complied with environmental regulations and resolved the dysfunction at the treatment plant, it would be prohibited from discharging effluent into Kamfers Dam or the Vaal River. He also raised concerns about industrial and agricultural waste flowing into the system and proposed stricter accountability measures — including personal liability for negligent officials.

In response, the municipal manager, Thapelo Matlala, denied that the visit was deliberately snubbed. He explained that while the mayor had been unwell, a member of the mayoral committee and senior technical officials were present. He acknowledged the financial and infrastructural challenges the municipality faces, but insisted that a business plan had been submitted to the Department of Water and Sanitation and that co-operation was ongoing.