Picture: Some houses destroyed by a heavy storm
By OBAKENG MAJE
More than 50 houses across Madipelesa, Thotayatau, Losasaneng, Matsheng, Gataote and other villages in Taung, were destroyed by the heavy storm last week. According to one of the victims who did not want to be known, the hefty storm destroyed their buildings and their roofing materials were turned into ‘flying missiles’.
“Truly, the storm posed a significant hazard to our lives. We are now grappling to make ends meet and we have nowhere to go. We hoped that the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) would assist, however, we are still waiting.
“Our councillor came to assess the damages and promised to revert back to us. Most affected people are unemployed and live beyond the poverty line, so any good Samaritan can lend a helping hand.”
Another victim shared the same sentiments. She said, her house was damaged and now she is unable to buy any building materials.
“We hope that the disaster management unit from the municipality will assist us. We really need the necessary help because everything has been destroyed including my furniture. I stay with my children who attend school, but they could not go due to our situation.
“We are in a recovery process and seek shelter from our neighbours. We hope that, the government will provide us with a temporary shelter, while we still recovering because our situation is uninhabitable due to disaster-related damages.”
Meanwhile, some political parties said they will conduct an oversight inspection to assess the current living conditions of those affected and establish whether the victims have received relief grants.
The Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) councillor, Mika Moeti who is also a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) chairperson for Finance said there are embezzlement of funds and corruption allegations at the embattled municipality. Moeti alleged that, the disaster management unit at the municipality, had depleted the R3 million budgeted for disaster and now the unit has requested an additional R15 million.
“We understand that the mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe was supposed to get monthly reports, but he does not request them. So, he is failing in his duties as a mayor in terms of conducting oversight. This is a burning issue and the matter is still with EXCO as we speak.
“It has not been taken to the municipal council yet. We had a R3m budget for the disaster management unit, but we were surprised last week when we received a report that the R3 million is diminished,” he said.
Moeti also alleged that, there was an ongoing project from the Human Settlement unit, but only sub-contractors from Gauteng benefitted from it. He alleged that, one sub-contractor from Baga-Mothibi, one from Taung Central, and one from Manthe were appointed.
“Mostly, those who benefitted from the disaster project are people from Gauteng. We have sent the municipal officials back to go and get the proper report with figures in order to show how they have spent that R3m.
“What is disheartening is that, these sub-contractors appointed, just built temporary structures using zinc metals. Clearly, our people have not benefitted from this project, except outsiders,” said Moeti.
*The incompetent Greater Taung Local Municipality spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant did not respond to our media inquiry, despite being sent to him more than two weeks ago. The response will be incorporated in the article when received.
The Guardian 