Bitou Municipality have been vindicated
The MEC for the Western Cape Human Settlements Department, Mr Tertuis Simmers, came down and engaged the Community of Qolweni this morning. In the speech delivered by the MEC, the Bitou Municipality was vindicated on the implementation of the project.
The fact that the MEC and the HOD, Ms Phila Mayisela, both confirmed that the project is on track, has been noted. They confirmed that the contractor had been appointed on the 9 October 2020 and it is currently in within the 21-day objection period.
The Bitou communicated this fact in the statement issued on the 10 October 2020. This was verbally confirmed in the meeting held with the leadership of Qolweni Community on Monday the 12 October 2020 at the Drop Off Zone.
The MEC and HOD both confirmed that the Bitou Municipality communicated with the Department of Human Settlements regarding the concerns on the Budget. So, what I reported to the community when I addressed them on the 23 September 2020 was not fiction or a lie.
The MEC also confirmed that the reason for the delay on the electrification of the TRA was due to the unrest. We were hoping that the electrification would have been completed. However, there are currently over 36 units that are electrified despite the unrests.
Further, the MEC confirmed that the movement of people from the Qolweni will commence as soon as possible. This will ensure that the contractor can be on-site and works to prepare for the construction of the 169 top structures is not delayed. These facts were reported to the community several times.
The visit by the MEC was organized in a manner that totally disregards the Intergovernmental Relations Framework. The Bitou Municipality was largely disregarded in the planning and organization of the meeting.
However, we welcome the visit despite the manner in which it came about. The fact that he was able to vindicate the Bitou Municipality in terms of both the Qolweni and Ebenezer Projects is also welcomed.
We also appreciate the fact that he is aware that the Bitou Municipality is a sphere of government separate from the Province. Therefore, there are processes and policies that the Province have to respect.
We hope that the community heard the MEC regarding the fact that their actions are detrimental to the project. It delays valuable progress in the delivery of houses and services to the community.
The Bitou Municipality will play it’s part as the developer and will deliver on its commitments. However, It is a partnership and it can only work when there is mutual respect amongst all parties.
Issued by the Bitou Communications Department on behalf of the Bitou Deputy Mayor and Portfolio Councillor for Community Services, Cllr. Sandiso Gcabayi.