Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s government has abandoned our critical infrastructure by failing to maintain and safeguard it. Critical infrastructure, including roads, hospitals, clinics, schools, water pipes, electricity substations, and cables, has been neglected and left to decay with no plan in place to fix it.
This was abundantly evident at the launch of the Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng’s infrastructure campaign at the long-delayed Modderfontein Bridge. The rehabilitation of the Modderfontein Bridge began in 2021. The original contractor was paid in full while only completing 50% of the work. While the contractor was fired, there has been no value for money nor any consequences for this incomplete work.
The second contractor is on the site, continuing with the work that should have been completed years ago. The rehabilitation of the Modderfontein bridge is crucial, as it is on the main road that links Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni. The delay in completing the rehabilitation of the Modderfontein bridge is causing heavy traffic congestion. Failure to complete projects on time and within budget is a serious challenge for Lesufi’s government.
We also inspected an electricity substation in Alexandra that was not adequately secured. This substation is vulnerable to theft and vandalism and has become a dumping ground, with electricity cables exposed. This leaves residents without electricity, which is an inconvenience, as some areas are already subjected to load reduction.
The DA will monitor the progress for rehabilitating this bridge to ensure that it is completed within the stipulated budget and timelines. We will also raise the issue of securing the substation in Alexandra at the City of Johannesburg Council and report the matter to the Gauteng Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Jacob Mamabolo.
Residents in this province can no longer be held hostage by Premier Lesufi’s incompetent government, which is failing to provide adequate service delivery. The DA Gauteng has a plan in place to fix all the infrastructure issues plaguing the province. The Infrastructure Rescue Plan will focus on the following:
• Establish a multi-stakeholder Integrated Infrastructure Management Unit to radically overhaul all planning, monitoring, implementation activities, and infrastructure maintenance.
• Utilise legislative and financial tools to improve municipal services by entering partnerships with municipalities to assist with maintenance backlogs.
• Balance resource allocation between creating new infrastructure and maintaining/refurbishing existing infrastructure.
• Forge partnerships with the private sector, universities, and civil society to pool resources in repairing and maintaining infrastructure.
• Set up an open portal for all to view the progress and details of all infrastructure-related activities to ensure efficiency and value for money.
A DA Gauteng-led provincial government would provide support to municipalities to improve service delivery where needed. Furthermore, only contractors who have been vetted properly will be allocated tenders to complete maintenance work that needs to be outsourced.