Poor Service Delivery (Lack of Service Delivery)
Sbongile Masina
Residents of Emalahleni find themselves grappling with a dysfunctional municipal system that fails to address their needs. Despite receiving grants in 2023 aimed at improving infrastructure to align with national development goals by 2030, the municipality’s mismanagement has led to exacerbated issues rather than solutions.
Grants intended for the development of infrastructure in Emalahleni, specifically focused on water drainage systems in Empumelelweni, were misappropriated or mismanaged by the municipality. This has resulted in severe soil erosion, with large deposits of soil contaminating nearby water sources, including those used by local mines.
The lack of service delivery primarily affects the residents of Empumelelweni, within the municipality of Emalahleni in Mpumalanga. The issues, stemming from poor service delivery and have been ongoing since the mismanagement of grants allocated in 2023 for infrastructure development. Residents of Empumelelweni bear the brunt of the consequences, facing heightened soil erosion and potential contamination of water sources.
The municipality’s failure to conduct proper oversight and accountability measures has allowed for the misuse of funds allocated for infrastructure projects. Additionally, inadequate maintenance and oversight of completed projects have exacerbated existing problems, such as soil erosion and sanitation issues.
To address these challenges, the municipality must undertake comprehensive assessments of potential contractors before awarding projects. During project implementation, stringent monitoring mechanisms should be put in place to ensure adherence to quality standards and prevent corner-cutting practices. Furthermore, contracts should include provisions for the long-term maintenance and sustainability of completed infrastructure.
- Conduct thorough background checks and assessments of potential contractors before awarding projects.
- Implement robust monitoring systems during project implementation to ensure compliance with quality standards.
- Include provisions in contracts for ongoing maintenance and sustainability of completed infrastructure projects.
