Frustrated Phaahla Manoge residents demand proper roads

by Karabo Tebele | Apr 27, 2019

Limpopo – Residents of Ga-Phaahla Manoge in Fetakgomo Tubatse local municipality are demanding proper access roads in the area. Residents raised this as a burning issue during Sekhukhune FM’s election debate held on Thursday, April 25.

Political parties that participated in the second edition of the radio station’s election debate are the African National Congress (ANC), Azanian People’s Organisation (AZAPO), Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

Discussions on burning topics like healthcare, water, and corruption were dominated by residents’ talks of bad roads. This got political leaders promising to prioritise construction of roads after the May elections.

Newly appointed Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality Mayor Cllr Naume Tlakale Phala acknowledged the frustration of the residents saying the delay in construction of proper roads is caused by lack of funding and in some cases incompetent sub-contractors.

“I’m aware that the bridge in the area is of poor quality and it creates a problem when transporting coffins during funerals. In addition to lack of money in the municipal pocket, sub-contractors have delayed the process of constructing roads,” said Mayor Tlakale.

On the other hand, DA leader Solomon Maila promised the community that when his party wins the elections, it will deal with corrupt officials who make delivery of services difficult.

“Give us your votes because the first thing we will do when we come into government is clean the provincial governments. Officials implicated in the VBS Mutual Bank saga will be arrested,” he said.

The EFF’s Moleke Senong encouraged residents to vote and ensure tension-free voting stations. “Political parties need to ensure that there are no fights at voting districts”.

ANC Chairperson in Sekhukhune, Tshepo Matenche assured voters that the organization is working to correct its ways for the benefit of the people.

“ANC has noticed its errors hence we’re in the process of fixing our internal governance issues and Cyril Ramaphosa will be the President of the country after the elections in May”.

AZAPO’s Molantwa Madingwana said the party will restore the pride of the people and get rid of officials without proper qualifications in government.

“AZAPO do not fabricate what the ANC says but when we get into government, officials that do not have proper qualifications will be removed and the dignity of black people will be restored”.  – Sekhukhune FM (edited by Philile Masango)

Water shortages take centre stage at the Sekhukhune elections debate

by Karabo Tebele | Apr 12, 2019

Sekhukhune Community Radio on Tuesday, hosted a political round table discussion with various political parties. At the center of the debate was the issue of water shortages.

DA’s  regional leader Samson Maila  accused the ANC for the water shortages in the district, saying it was a result of  alleged widespread corruption within the municipality.

“If we want the residents of Sekhukhune to receive water, we have to fight the ANC’s greed without fear or favour,” he said

ANC’s regional secretary, Jerry Maseko refuted the allegations  levelled against the ruling party stating that majority of residents have water tanks and that the real issue is the lack of maintenance of those facilities.

“The problem is that sometimes the water is not able to come out properly due to lack of maintenance, as well as the large number of people who still rely on the blowhole water system, which is largely determined by rainfall . In n terms of infrastructure close to 88.6% of our community’s infrastructure is towards water services”, said Maseko.

AZAPO’s Molantwa Modingwana highlighted rampart nepotism within the municipality and said this directly led to water shortages as people employed at the municipality were not skilled. Should they be voted into power, he promised to bring an end to the crisis.

“As AZAPO the issue of water is a priority, it is a source of life. If we are elected we will ensure that the engineers that are hired to rectify the water dispute will be highly qualified” ,Modingwana said.

Other issues raised  were the  lack of service delivery and infrastructure, and questionable distribution of tenders. – Sekhukune FM (edited by Veronica Makhoali

(Edited By Simba Honde)