Hawks raid Sol Plaatje Municipality

THE HAWKS’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit conducted a search-and-seizure operation at Sol Plaatje Municipality yesterday during which two laptops and two desktop computers were seized for further investigation.

Hawks provincial spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Tebogo Thebe did not divulge any further information, other than to indicate that it was for the purpose of “gathering information/documentation to aid them in an investigation”.

Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thoko Riet said the local authority was offering its full co-operation in the investigation.

“It is still premature to divulge the details as these are still allegations,” said Riet.

Meanwhile the DA, during a council meeting earlier this week, requested a detailed report into the breakdown of costs and the extent of work completed during the emergency water shutdown that took place from August 9 to 14.

ACDP councillor Roddy Loff enquired about the “secrecy” surrounding the water shutdown.

FF+ councillor Johan Smit believed that there was poor communication during the water shutdown, where there were no regular updates on progress, while several areas are still struggling to get access to water.

“This is while the mayor stormed out of the council meeting on August 18 and proclaimed on national television that there are no potholes or service delivery problems in Kimberley.”

ANC councillor Isaac Ruiter advised that it would take at least a month for the utility department to issue the report.

“Let us not jump to conclusions, let us wait for a further meeting.”

ANC chief whip Martin White added that while “everyone was seeking answers”, the mayoral committee could not be “put on the spot” as they needed to extensively discuss the report.

ANC councillor Eucia Matika criticised the DA councillors for not “visiting black areas” during the water shutdown.

“They must have respect - let them wait for a thorough report. I didn’t see them in Galeshewe doing door-to-door visits. They are not reporting about the water and leaking drains in Galeshewe.”

DA councillor Chris Whittaker stated that it was unacceptable to wait for a month for the report while some areas are still without water.

ANC councillor Jan Pieterse believed that low reservoir levels and low water pressure were the cause of water shortages in certain areas.

ANC councillor Mncedisi Nolitye stated that the reason for water shortages was burst or stolen water pipes.

The municipal manager, Thapelo Matlala, indicated that nightly water shutdowns were suspended on August 19 after three pumps were back in operation at the Newton Reservoir.

“Restoring water to high-lying areas was a challenge due to high consumption and low water levels at the reservoir. We managed to resolve all outstanding issues where the water shutdown cannot be the cause of delays in restoring the water supply.

“If there are any areas without water we request councillors to inform us so that we can attend to these challenges. We still need to do a debriefing from the administrative part and complete a report. It took two weeks to plan the emergency shutdown and we will be finalising a full report and will table it to council.”

He indicated that the installation of the butterfly valve was not included in the work done. This would have enabled a supply of water from either the 600mm or 965mm pipelines during future water shutdowns.

“It is a work in progress as the parts need to be obtained from Turkey and are not that easy to access.”