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No wonder KSD has no funds.
This leak was reported on 09.07.2009. They came to fix it on the weekend , wanting overtime no doubt ,but succeed in making it worse.
This is now Monday afternoon the 13th and there are 8 of them on the job.
A rate payers assocation is busy being formed and we need all the ammo we can get. Our first meeting is with the Municipal manager on Thursday.
When seeing incidentals like this please report it to myself or Graeme Alexander. Take photo if you can.
The only way forward is to stick together and report as much as possible.
Kind regards
Graham Lessing
Pictures from outside the Transkei Primary School fields, a place where children go to for sports.
The municipality has clearly repaired the cables (notice two joins) and are taped up, but this is not a safe solution.
Also notice the bare cables exposed from the light pole.
Surely the electricity department knows about this, as they repaired it, but has left it as “finished”.
15/07/2009
14/07/2009
Dead decaying dogs on the main road to Ikwezi Lokuza and Eskom. There is one dead dog laying in the gutter just past the robot intersection for Ngangelizwe for the last month or so. Its now just a heap of mush and bones. Surely this is a serious health hazard.
Dogs running the streets in packs and having litters upon litters of puppies. Animal control should be done more effectively. Especially the roaming packs of dogs which could be vicious and attack children.
I spoke to the SPCA who advised that the roaming packs of dogs are the problem of the municipality. Surely the municipality can get someone to dart these stray dogs and take them to the SPCA to dispose of.
The other problem we are having is that the shops that are using the dumps behind Ikwezi Lokuza are travelling with open vehicles and their rubbish goes flying out from the trucks into oncoming traffic and littering all over the place.
There is so much.
Dont have pictures though.
Fullname = Fred Basset
Email = fredb@hansmerensky.co.za
Contact =
Description = Lower Fort Gale has once again been without water. It's been off since 11h00 on the 15/07/09 until the present.
The call centre is absolutely hopeless as the people manning it cannot give any sensible answers. We were informed it would be back on the night of the 15th, but as yet still no water.
Full Name = Donald Bradbury
Email = donald@rcn.co.za
Contact = 0824947942
Mthatha central (Savoy Hotel Area) is also experiencing very low water pressure, a mere dribble from the tap.
16/07/2009
Fullname = Andre Gerber
Email = angeramp@gmail.com
Contact =
Description = Vulindlela Heights has been without running water since yesterday. By midday today, when checked, it had not been restored.
The side streets off Errol Sring street have no road signs or road markings, consequently hardly anybody stops when turning into Errol Spring.
Stray dogs in P&P area present a danger to motorists, particularly us on two wheels.
Street lights in Errol Spring and Kalika streets have been out for almost a year. Starlight Security have changed the starting hour for day staff at Meyers Delta from 06H00 to 07H00 as their staff have been harrassed and robbed on their way to their shift by drunks still loitering around Wanda's in the dark early hours.
Fullname = Debbie Tuckett
Email = whitehouse@intekom.co.za
Contact =
Description = 8pm, Thursday 16/07/09. I once again have an earth leakage switch that keeps tripping. Reason: ANOTHER burnt element in one of the 13 geysers at the guesthouse. I had an element replaced just 2 weeks ago the last time we had serious water offages. In the past 10 years, we must have had almost 80 elements burning out due to geysers draining and elements overheating.......obviously OR Tambo will not foot the bill for replacement of elements. Guests are cancelling bookings DAILY when they hear we again have either no water or no electricity. So, how difficult is it to run a successful business in Mthatha with King Sabata Dalindyebo and OR Tambo as our split municipalities? It is VERY difficult and VERY trying indeed!!!
Fullname = Willem Schoeman
Email = willem.schumi@gmail.com
Contact = xxx xxx xxxx (webmaster: removed, I am sure you can work out why)
Description = I will have about 20 submissions after the weekend of what is wrong
in this town of ours, but please allow me to point out one individual that work for
OR Tambo, Mr Phillip Tsoanyane. He's cell number is on my phone for the last 2 years
-
This man is always available, and willing to assist. I WILL not give you he's cell
number, as everybody will call him ;-
But this is a very rare compliment for any employer of OR Tambo or KSD Municipality.
17/07/2009
Good day all.
Here in Mthatha we have started a concerned ratepayers association called Ram.(Rate Payers Assocation Mthatha)
Things are getting desperate.
In the past 32 days the electricity in the lower half of Mthatha has been faulty for 22 of them.
It is Mandela's 91st birthday on Sunday and all the B & B's in Mthatha are full. Last night Thursday 16.07 there were no lights and no water.!!
We need help desperately.
We had a meeting with the Municipal Manager Monde Tom who told us about a 20 year turn around plan. Things have deteriorated so that we need a 20 hour turn around plan
Can you help and if not do you know who can.
Kind regard
Graham Lessing
Fullname = Fred Basset
Email = fredb@hansmerensky.co.za
Contact =
Description = The water returned to lower Fort Gale at 22h30 last night 16/7/09 a FULL 35hrs after the supply stopped.
No apologies from senior O R Tambo officials.
Thanks to Mr Makama who was at the rock face fixing the problem and who was very helpful.
Fullname = Pat Dalgleish
Email = pat@mdaarchitects.co.za
Contact =
Description = I annex to this report photographs of the “temporary” Electrical cable crossing my property to supply my neighbour installed in 2006.
This Temporary supply still runs though my parking lot today 17.07.2009 and awaits KSD Municipality to make the correct underground connection.
I also wish to place on record our electrical supply to 38 Stanford Terrace has been interrupted for the second time today (1:40 pm.)We await our connection to be restored.A standby generator has been installed at a cost of R12 500.00 excluding general running costs, so we can continue to trade.
Estimated_Costs = R12 500.00
According to today's Dispatch 17.07.09 a certain Solly Nduku stated that a
pump had broken and he was assembling a team to fix it.
What does our Solly do all day? Why was no maintenance carried out on the pump if it was such a crucial part of the water supply.
Nduku should be held accountable for this fiasco. Is there anyone in this team of his that knows what's going on. I don't think so because if there were they would have seen that the pump was packing up.
Lets have a bit of transparency and get a record of the service history of that pump and see when last it was serviced.
No answer will be forth coming because there is a 99% chance of it never happening.
Does anyone have an email address of someone in Ksd and ORT that these complaints can go to.Not that it would bother them at all.
Graham Lessing
Reasons in contributions below
Fullname = Graeme Alexander
Email = graemealex@telkomsa.net
Contact =
Description = In the Daily Dispatch article on Mthatha dated the 17th of July Solly Nduku stated that OR Tambo had not been invited to a meeting by RAM . RUBBISH !!!
Actually the truth is that I personally tried to contact the Mayor of OR Tambo to invite her to the meeting at the Mthatha Country Club .
I was not able to speak to her and was put through to her assistant who was very rude and demanded a reference.
I explained to her that the reference was the collapse of the water/ sewerage provision in our town .
This was not good enough !! I then gave her my name and cell phone number to use as a reference . She then slammed the phone down on me .
Some time later , I received a call from the same woman asking me to confirm the time and venue for the meeting and to confirm that someone would be present .
As we all know , they , any member of OR Tambo municipality , did not bother to arrive or indeed apologise for the lack of interest / attendance .
If there was someone there , they certainly did not bother to identify themselves . ( Maybe too ashamed , which I doubt ) .
I have a witness to my telephone conversations .
Graeme Alexander
20/07/2009
Fullname = Fred Basset
Email = fredb@hansmerensky.co.za
Contact =
Description = Status of water supply lower Fort Gale. (Webmaster: Southernwood, Central, majority of Mthatha included)
Friday 17th July. No water from 11h00 until 22h00.
Saturday 18th July. No water from 11h00 until 16h00.
The less said about the accuracy of information coming from the O.R.Tambo call centre the better.
Electricity.
Sunday 19th July. Electricity went off at 18h00 until 18h10 and again from 18h15 until 18h25.
And we are expected to pay rates and taxes!!!!!
Fullname = Jonathan Jackson
Email = umqeku@gmail.com
Contact =
Description = The reason for the low pressure at lower FG is the firehydrant/valve is burst outside 27 Valley view. The leaking hydrant outside number 27 was reported weeks ago. ECDC also dont seem converned. The driveway fixed at my cost has been damaged.
Estimated_Costs = R2000
21/07/2009
Fullname = Willem Schoeman
Email = willem.schumi@gmail.com
Contact =
Description = Nothing need to be said -
Fullname = willem Schoeman
Email = willem.schumi@gmail.com
Contact =
Description = Do I need to say more -
Fullname = willem Schoeman
Email = willem.schumi@gmail.com
Contact =
Description = A water pipe burst under the street in Southerwood (do not ask me the
street name, I do not know because there is no names to see), this was 6 months ago,
oposit the school -
Fullname = Jonathan Jackson
Email = umqeku@gmail.com
Contact =
Description = I Had a lot of luck in being put in contact with a Mr Cornelius from ORTAMBO. I Believe both leaks have been repaired at Valley View Flats, lwr FG.)In Bhisho moment) WELL DONE!
24/07/2009
Fullname = DEREK DREIJER
Email = derek@transkeiyamaha.co.za
Contact =
Description = Firstly I cannot explain the fraustration regarding rates.I purchased my house three years ago,the transfering attorney paid a full years rates and taxes.I have been to the municipality on numerous occasions because they keep cutting my electricity.They have all the information,still in a suspense account.The people there are just not capable of doing their jobs!Instead they sit there chatting laughing,eating,oil around the mouth then try help you!
The water and electricity problem,well what do we expect.As a proud business owner,going to the expense of relocating to new premises as you enter Mthatha entering from Kokstad,new signage,You stand there looking around at open electrical boxes,rubbish,holes been dug,work not complete,but the contractors have been paid,sewrage running down the road,past the shop,It's an absolute disgrace.I was once told we were ahead of times in Mthatha regarding this matter!Very true.These things are starting to happen in other towns,GOOD LUCK.
Another matter of concern regarding suppling goods,ie:generators,brushcutters,waterpumps,protective clothing,where is the saying support local?Instead these items are purchased from other areas such as Durban,JHB,NO training,support or service offered,machines break,disappear!On investigating a certain tender it was found that units purchased were more than double the price,no training offered,machines seized,supplied by an individual from JHB.We were then called to the rescue.What it boils down to it that it is our rates and taxes being thrown away!I think we all know why there is no money.
If there is anything we as a company can do to assist,regarding power products,generators etc please let us know.
We want to feel proud of Mthatha!!Lets work together.
30/07/2009
Fullname = peter maker
Email = pete@mthatha.co.za
Contact =
Description = Hellaleuia !!!!
The sewerage runs forth yet again outside the entrance to TPS in Victoria Street. The grass is always greener on that side.
Thank You ORT
31/07/2009
04/08/2009
Fullname = Nadia Pottow
Email =
Contact =
Description = Since December ’08 when we have moved into the house we are renting in Southernwood, the area from outside the wall towards the inside of the yard is constantly wet. Rumours were that this was once a swamp like area, until the 01.06.09 when the main water supply pipe burst at 2pm. The problem was only reported when I got home at 6:20 that evening. OR Thambo switched the water off but the fixing of the pipe could only be attended to the next day.
02.06.09
07:40am I have informed OR Thambo District Municipality of the burst water pipe and the gentleman that spoke to me said he was aware of the problem and they were busy getting the team ready to work on the problem. Only at 15:18pm OR Thambo Call Centre contacted me to let me know the plumbers are at the property and I must open the gate so they can work inside the property seeing that the wall is built on top of the water pipe and they need to dig on the inside of the property to get to the pipe. One of their options was to break down the wall. The pipe could then be fixed, for now.
There is a 5 meter whole in the wall and OR Thambo will fence it off for the time being if they have workers available. To this day, 04.08.09 I am still waiting for the fence to be erected.
Fullname = Donald Bradbury
Email = donald@rcn.co.za
Contact =
Description = Water, I am sure that it is the bane of the ORTAMBO.
We are all aware of the drought that the country is in, and how prescious water is, but in ORTAMBO's books, it is clear that they have an abundance of it.
Their has been a water leak by the TPS school, Hoadley Avenue, for longer than 2 weeks, and has got so bad that the roads Prestwich Ave, and Nepgen Ave are permanently wet.
How much water is the ORTAMBO blatantly throwing away?
Fullname = Nadia Pottow
Email =
Contact =
Description = On the 07.07.09 at 9pm the main water supply pipe running down Flaming Drive in Southernwood burst on the pavement outside our house. I have contacted the Call Centre to send the plumbers for the water is running down the stairs from my pedestrian gate like a river. Plumbers oly arrived at 10:50pm. They turned the water off and left. They never turned the water off completely and when I contacted the call centre to send the plumbers back...the lady on duty said I have to wait till the morning for the plumbers are off duty now. I had a river running in my yard from 9pm till 8:30am on 08.07.09 when the plumbers eventually turned the water off completely.
It was one helluva mess I must add. So much water went to waste just because of neglegence. They have fixed the burst pipe on 08.07.09.
Fullname = Nadia Pottow
Email =
Contact =
Description = On 31.07.09 we had no water in Southernwood becaause of a burst pipe in Vukutu, the water came back on late Saturday afternoon, but was the colour of river water because of the mud. Sunday morning at 8:30am, went outside just to find the same pipe that burst down the road, burst under my driveway on the pavement. I tried contacting the Call Centre but their line was engaged for half an hour. At 9am I got through and reported the problem. I was surpirzed to see the plumbers reacted quickly. They destroyed my driveway and dug 2 meters deep to fix the pipe.
After fixing the pipe, they fetched 2 loads of sabungha and filled up the hole. They didn't compact it properly, so I have trouble driving in and out of my yard. One of the plumbers said that the valve on the corner of Flaming Drive and Vukutu is leaking and would have to fix it. When...good question.
03.08.09
I got home at 4:30pm and OR Thambo workers were on the pavements opposite my house. A man by the name of August asked me if I have water and I said I have to check. I did have but with no pressure and it was murky. He said he will get one of his guys to clean the pipe by my water meter for it might be mud blocking the waterflow to my house. I also asked him about the dirveway. He said accordking to him, OR Thambo should pour a new slab, but he is not sure because he is new in the division. He would have to find out and get back to me. I also complained about the hole in the wall, which I'm still waiting for them to erect a fence for me.
I do hope I get feedback.
Fullname = willem Schoeman
Email = willem.schumi@gmail.com
Contact =
Description = I had to replace my Masterflo valve on my Warm water geyser on the
5 August 2009 -
Southernwood, around Flamingo and Vukutu experience a lot of mud in the water.
Estimated_Costs = R450-
05/08/2009
06/08/2009
Fullname =
Email =
Contact =
Anonymous = on
Description = O.R. Tambo Municipality reacted switly when a waterpipe bursted in Southernwood and replaced my drive way the following day.
It is a pleasure to be a Mthatha resident.
Fullname = Marie Brownlow
Email = mbrownlow@telkomsa.net
Contact =
Description = Two burst waterpipes outside our property resulting in a huge 'gemors' and a destroyed driveway about six weeks ago. Water leaking under the concrete inside the property caused more damage, so will have to replace all concrete. Also had to replace an element in one geyser, deepfreeze isn't happy, and am expecting internal pipes to go 'boom' sometime soon. So far no water for 3 days, but managed to catch the water truck. Very helpful people. There is, however, a serious leak in Flamingo Drive right outside my house. This was reported more than a month ago, and nothing has been done, because 'we are short of stock'. Meanwhile the road is steadily deteriorating, and I hate to think how much water is being wasted.
Then there are the power failures ........
Estimated_Costs = Approx. R10,000
Fullname = Jo Berlyn
Email = joberlyn@intekom.co.za
Contact =
Description = Upper Fort Gale without Water -
The upper part of Sisson street, once again had no water yesterday, and last night!!!
I tried to call teh call center, but got no joy out of them.
Estimated_Costs =
11/08/2009
12/08/2009
Fullname = Sharron Patricia Oosthuizen
Email = spo2@mthatha.co.za
Contact =
Description = Driving home down Blakeway Road after a shopping expedition to the
Spar is quite comical. Cars -
Estimated_Costs = nothing at this point -
Fullname = Sharron Patricia Oosthuizen
Email = spo2@mthatha.co.za
Contact =
Description = Driving to a meeting one evening last week proved to be quite fraught
with unexpected obstacles bursting through the dark. Barrier tape right across
the road with yet ANOTHER marquee erected across almost the entire width of the road.
Thursday preparations for a saturday night party. It should be noted that the
marquee was erected across the road from the host's house leaving ample parking for
his guests along his side of the road. municipal permission is not granted for
these parties and if there is -
Estimated_Costs =
Fullname = Sharron Patricia Oosthuizen
Email = spo2@mthatha.co.za
Contact =
Description = No water AGAIN last night. I had to let the cold water tap run on
empty for at least 20 minutes to release the pressure that had built up in the pipes.
What damage is caused by this? Come on ORT -
Estimated_Costs =
13/08/2009
Fullname = MANAGEMENT OF MISTER BREAD
Email =
Contact =
Description = MISTER BREAD HAS BEEN WITHOUT ELECTRICITY SINCE TUESDAY 3PM. AFTER 3 DAYS THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF THIS BEING RECTIFIED. EVEN THOUGH THE SITUATION IS CRITICAL, THE MUNICIPAL STAFF KNOCK OFF AT 4PM. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE A CITY. WHERE HAS ANYONE SEEN A CITY WITH NO AFTER HOUR TECHNICIANS? MISTER BREAD IS RELYING ON IT'S STANDBY PLANT TO BAKE AND IS SQUANDERING THOUSANDS OF LITRES OF DIESEL. SHAME ON THE MUNICIPALITY. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER OF DOZENS OF SERIOUS COMPLAINTS.
Estimated_Costs = ALREADY IN EXCESS OF R20,000.00
Fullname = Fred Basset
Email = fredb@merensky.co.za
Contact =
Description = ENOUGH is ENOUGH!!!!
I have finally been forced to put in a water tank with a pump, so that I will be able to have water in my home.
This should be a basic service supplied by any decently run municipality!!!
I should now be allowed to deduct the cost of this installation from my water a/c which should go into cedit until the amount is paid off!!
Estimated_Costs = R9500.00
Fullname =
Email =
Contact =
Anonymous = on
Description = Lunchtime : Friday 14 Aug 2009 : Terrence Lowry Street, Fort Gale, Mthatha
Surely there are municipal by-
Estimated_Costs = none
Fullname =
Email =
Contact =
Anonymous = on
Description = The response by Solly Nduku saying this name and shaming project is racist is a disgrace.This clearly shows that he is not prepared to improve.May be he is trying to say that black people in Mthatha are satisfied with the poor service or no service delivery of KSD and OR Tambo Municipality.
Estimatted_Costs =
Fullname = Fred Basset
Email = fredb@merensky.co.za
Contact =
Description = To the subject of tents closing off access to other citizens on public roads, who, at the end of the day foots the bill for the repairs caused by the damage of tent pegs, to the tar road when eventually it gets repaired?
You, the rate payer of course!!!
Mthatha must be the only city in South Africa where this practice is allowed?
Estimated_Costs =
Fullname = Sharron Patricia Oosthuizen
Email = spo2@mthatha.co.za
Contact =
Description = Saturday -
Sunday -
Monday -
Water must have been off at some point in the night as the taps "spat" at me when being opened this morning.
I am now pondering whether we had a bad ENDING to the one week or a POOR start to the next.
Estimated_Costs = nothing really -
Fullname =
Email =
Contact =
Anonymous = on
Description = Service delivery is colourless whether black or white.Mr Solly Nduku should stop politicising poor service delivery as it affects everybody for instance today 17/08/2009 we woke up with no elecricity and it has affected everybody both black and white.
Good work RAM expose all lazy municipal workers.
Estimated_Costs =
17/08/2009
Daily Dispatch articles:
19/08/2009
Fullname = Sharron Patricia Oosthuizen
Email = spo2@mthatha.co.za
Contact = 0270829273817
Description = Day 4 without water. this is getting to be a DIRTY joke.
Estimated_Costs =
Fullname = Marie Brownlow
Email = mbrownlow@telkomsa.net
Contact = 0823995749
Description = Since my last post I've had to replace my dishwasher. ORT have now repaired the leak in the road, leaving a 'gemors' that looks like a grave. Needless to say, people driving over my pavement (unavoidable) have made the mess worse.
If only the municipalities can leave politics out of the equation -
Estimated_Costs = R3,000
Fullname = Yolande Brownlow
Email = ybrownlow@hotmail.com
Contact = 0845897187
Description = Something Nice To Say: I can't remember the exact date, but last year
a tree root had damaged a water pipe and we had a small river flowing down the drive
way ( just outside the house ) I phoned O.R. Tambo the saturday morning, and by 10:00
they were there to fix it, they hadn't finished, and came back on Sunday, worked
all day to fix it. -
24/08/2009