By Teboho Moloi
WELKOM – For seven years, residents of Thabong’s Dichokoloteng new stands have been living next to an abandoned R30 million sewage project — and now they’re being forced to use pit toilets.
The African Liberation Movement (ALM) says the unfinished pipes pose serious health and safety risks to children and the elderly, and is calling for urgent intervention from the Public Protector and the Presidency.
ALM leader Ntsane Thebe said the contractor walked off the project in 2018 despite being paid in full.
“As ALM we condemn the abandonment of this sewage project. Our residents deserve dignified sanitation. We will not allow contractors to walk away with public money while residents struggle,” Thebe said.
He accused the Matjhabeng Municipality of failing to monitor the project and ignoring repeated requests for answers on the status and service delivery.
Thebe confirmed ALM has written to the municipality and is awaiting a response.
ALM’s Matjhabeng mayoral candidate, Sylvester Phate, said the municipality is driving the city “to the ground” instead of fixing service delivery.
“The people who are suffering are our own people. If it comes to a push, we shall finish the project ourselves. Even if it means looking for investors, we will do so,” Phate said.
ALM has also committed to taking the matter to the Public Protector for investigation.
*Health crisis looming*
Residents say the exposed, incomplete pipes have become a dumping site and hazard. With no proper sewage, families — including children and pensioners — have been forced back to using pit latrines.
The project was meant to bring proper sanitation to the new stands and improve quality of life. Seven years later, it has done the opposite.
Matjhabeng Municipality had not responded to questions at the time of publication.
