Developments with regards to the Sanral takeover of the R31 road between Kimberley and Barkly-West, together with plans by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to lead the water masses along the side of the road towards the Vaal River, still fail to address the underlying problem on this portion of the road.
While much is being done to restore the previously flooded road, that became submerged in the lakes of fresh water and sewage that formed over the past 18-years, there is no progress in terms of fixing the actual water and sewage leaks that created the lakes in the first place.
The DA wishes to alert Sanral, DWS and the Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works that before any further money is spent on the road and the massive water diversion project to the Vaal River, they need to start holding Sol Plaatje municipality accountable for its dire lack of infrastructure maintenance, which is squarely to blame for this road crisis.
It is time that Sol Plaatje provides a detailed breakdown of all the various leakages and presents a repair plan. If Sol Plaatje doesn’t know where the leaks are, they need to admit that they are in above their heads so that a fault-finding expedition can be arranged.
At this stage, there are too many unknown factors, including the e-coli levels of the lakes. Solving problems superficially will only carry hidden, long-term costs.
I will submit parliamentary questions to COGTA Minister, Senzo Mchunu, asking for an accurate and thorough diagnosis of the R31 problem by Sol Plaatje, together with the municipality’s proposed plan of action to address the leaks, as well as to DWS regarding the e-coli levels of the lakes.
In respect of the looming Sanral takeover, clarity must be provided in respect of who will carry the costs incurred by the province in respect of uplifting the road, as well as the budgetary impact of the takeover.
It is time that Sol Plaatje comes clean about the extent of what we are dealing with in respect of the R31.