The Metsimaholo municipality has promised to clean up and repair the Vaal Dam Waterfront following criticism from the DA and local residents.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on the Metsimaholo local municipality to rectify the unhygienic conditions at the Vaal Dam Waterfront.
Recently, the party stated that residents of Oranjeville deserve reliable service delivery, which includes keeping the Vaal Dam Waterfront clean.
According to the residents of Oranjeville, municipal rubbish truck drivers have refused to empty bins or collect loose rubbish, claiming it is not their duty.
“We urge the municipality to implement weekly rubbish bin cleaning to prevent overflow and litter accumulation.”
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‘Improve cleanliness’
Furthermore, the DA demands upgrading existing toilet facilities, which have fallen into disrepair due to vandalism.
These actions will ensure that visitors have access to clean and functional restrooms.
The DA has formally requested the manager of the municipal parks division to respond to these concerns and take the necessary actions to improve cleanliness and hygiene at the Vaal Dam Waterfront.
According to the DA, the unsanitary state of the Waterfront is a dark cloud over Oranjeville’s tourism industry, which is a major draw for fishermen who travel far and wide to enjoy the picturesque waterfront.
However, the neglected state of the waterfront may scare off potential visitors, dealing a blow to the town’s tourism income and tarnishing its reputation.
“The DA will continue to hold the Metsimaholo municipality accountable, ensuring it meets its constitutional obligations to provide essential services to the community,” it said.
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Municipality to implement infrastructure assessments
Speaking to The Citizen, the municipality spokesperson, Dr Gino Alberts, said on Monday that the municipality has sent a team to clean up the area.
“As part of our response plan, the municipality is already coordinating efforts to deploy cleaning teams to address the immediate concerns of waste management and sanitation,” he added.
The municipality will initiate infrastructure assessments to identify necessary repairs and prioritise work to restore and improve the facility’s condition.
“While we cannot provide an exact timeline for the completion of all interventions at this stage, we are working diligently to address the urgent aspects as quickly as possible,” he said.
Alberts apologised for any inconvenience these challenges may have caused to visitors and residents.
“Your concerns are valuable to us, and we welcome further engagement as we implement these improvements.
“Thank you for your understanding and support as we resolve this matter,” he concluded.
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