National Council of Provinces (NCOP) members who visited the North West for a week-long provincial service delivery inspection programme expressed concern over the slow pace of services in areas around Moretele local municipality.

The delegation decried the lack of commitment it said was demonstrated by the provincial government and the municipality towards delivering quality services in the areas of housing, water and maintenance of roads.

Parliament communications officer Faith Kwaza said some recently completed housing projects exposed a lack of adequate inspection by authorities.

“In Mogogelo village, the delegation was shocked to discover that only 80 units of a 1000-unit RDP development project were completed since 1999 while the rest were blocked due to structural defects. The delegation was informed that the human settlements department was busy with financial audits, compilation of Geo Tech reports and beneficiary lists and the projects would be unblocked in the financial year,” she said.

Water shortages in some parts of the municipality were noted and it emerged there was an inadequate supply from the Themba Water Treatment Plant. The 60-mega litre plant supplies parts of the province as well as the entire Tshwane municipality.

“The delegation condemned the Bojanala district municipality for initiating projects and not seeing them to completion. The council visited Serodumo sa-Rona Brick Project in Moeka village, a project which was never completed.

The delegation believes this is a waste of public funds and vowed to follow up the issue,” Kwaza said.

The only positive development the NCOP acknowledged was the rehabilitation of a 12km road between Swartdam and Makapanstad. Work on this road is expected to be completed next February.

Kwaza said the delegation, led by Collen Maine, interacted with Premier Thandi Modise, finance MEC Paul Sebegoe, Moretele local municipality mayor, Jonas Lehari, and municipal leaders.

Municipalities recently put under administration had a chance to meet the council in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district but details of the meeting were not available at the time of going to press.

Unions, the local government portfolio committee and SA Local Government Association expressed concern over the provincial executive council’s decision to invoke Section 139 (1) (b) on Ditsobotla, Makwassie Hills and Matlosana local municipalities.

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