Following remarks by former president Thabo Mbeki in relation to service delivery and potholes in Mangaung, Step UP SA News took a short left around Mangaung to check the state thereof.
The first pothole the team spotted was in Nelson Mandela Drive right in front of the University of the Free State (UFS) about 1000 meters from N1.
Another discovery the team noticed is the ever-under-construction work in Rocklands around Home Affairs till Regent – only god knows when this road will be finished that’s if there is political will.
A journey further to Bloemfontein East ending up in Namibia showed potholes as big as the ‘big hole in Kimberley’ with motorists forced to negotiate their way around potholes filled with sewage.
One motorist was heard saying he will close the pothole in three days if he gets the tender because he has machines to fix them.
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In Freedom Square, the residents have turned Toka Primary school into a dumping site – just next to the school grounds. Surely kids do inhale the bad smell coming from the self created quarry stretching to 300 meters.
Could this be as a result of the municipality failing to collect rubbish?
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A further trip from Freedom Square heading to Masango Street in Turflaagte leads with the biggest pothole in Mangaung thus far. The driver of a light motor vehicle refused to continue with her journey and opted to rather park next to the roads and call whoever she came to check to come fearing her car would be damaged.
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Lack of service delivery in Mangaung is not something new and we have seen a local radio station embarking on a cleaning campaign after partnering with Bon Hotel.
In Pellissier the community (Trots Pellisier Neighborhood Association) has decided to clean their area with each member contributing R100. The area is as clean as a whistle and that R100 also provides extra security and fixing potholes as seen on their Facebook page.
This however doesn’t absolve Mangaung Metro from its responsibilities of providing services as they do collect money monthly for services.
This will put more pressure on the under-fire Mangaung Mayor, Mxolisi Siyonzana who sources with ANC say is facing a motion of no-confidence soon due to factional battles.
Mangaung Metropolitan moves from one mess to the other not forgetting the legal battle involving Mxolisi Dukwana, MEC for COGTA in relation to the appointment of acting City Manager and ghost workers among others.
Mxolisi Siyonzana, Mangaung Metro Executive Mayor didn’t respond to our questions at the time of publishing the story.
This is a developing story.
If you have any news or tips please send us an email news@stepupsanews.co.za
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