PLUMBING CREATES LEAK IN MUNICIPAL FINANCES
Councillors are demanding that officials plug a leak in their finances after uMngeni Municipality spent around R160 000 on plumbing repairs in two months.
The money was paid to a single supplier – Mayesa Trading Enterprise - to repair the flushing system in the women’s toilet at the Hilton Library; install a geyser and replace the flushing system at Mpophomeni Library; install two new sink taps, unblock sewers and replace a sink waste and trap at Greys Court; replace stolen pipes at Greys Court; replace the flushing system at the Howick Swimming Pool; install a new geyser at the Howick West Library; and to install a new geyser and replace showers at the indoor sports centre.
The company also unblocked sewers at the Mpophomeni Library and did general repairs at the museum and swimming pool in Howick.
Speaking at a meeting of the full council last week, Speaker, Councillor Janis Holmes, said it was unacceptable to spend so much money on plumbing and to see no tangible benefits.
“I’m here in the municipal office and various municipal staff have told me that things come and get fixed but then are not working the next day,” she added.
“We heard an explanation that there was an advert for a panel of plumbers that went out. I have never seen it. When was that advert published and how long was it published for?
“Given comments by staff, that work in various buildings around our municipality, where is this plumbing taking place? It seems that it is not on the level.
“The amount of money we spend on plumbing is unacceptable. The fact that we only have one plumber on our database is unacceptable. This definitely needs further investigation. We can’t go on like this.”
Holmes was also concerned about the number of blockages which had to be sorted out because the sewer system was not being used properly.
“uMgungundlovu has to come and clear blocked pipes that are filled with nappies, wigs, underwear, you name it,” she added.
“Are we putting up signage in all our municipal toilets, whether they are public or for staff use, about what can and can’t be flushed down toilets?”
Nkosinathi Ngubane, manager of administration support, told councillors that the municipality hoped to be able to reduce the money spent on outside contractors once the post of handyman was filled.
He also warned, however, that the R1 million budget allocated to maintenance and repairs for this financial year might not be sufficient.
Ngubane said: “… we are saying that by mid-term period we probably won’t have enough money to do repairs and we are banking on that review to help us to continue doing repairs, especially those which are of an emergency nature.”
In his report he said the biggest problem was that many of the municipal facilities were old and need of replacement.
“Under the current situation of inadequate budget availability and allocation, only the prioritisation of the most needy facilities and repairs remains the way to go until such time that sufficient funds are available to do the necessary repairs and replacement of the municipality’s facilities,” Ngubane added.
Among the projects which are earmarked for 2022/2023 include installing fencing and doing general repairs at the Mpophomeni Community Hall; renovating facilities at the Lidgetton Community Hall; buying new chairs and extra chairs and tables for the Zenzane Village Community Hall, the Mpophomeni Multi-purpose Centre, the Mandleni Community Hall and the Khanya/Cedara Village Community Hall.