Category Archives: news
621 RDPs handed over in Moqhaka
Premier Ace Magashule on Thursday officially handed over nearly 500 modern RDP houses with special features such as bathrooms, tiled roofing and ceilings were officially to their owners at Putswa Steyn section of Viljoenskroon in the Moqhaka Local Municipality.
Magashule was in the area as part of his tours of projects formulated and implemented under Operation Hlasela, an intervention mechanism devised by his office in 2009 to speed up service delivery to the most vulnerable areas in the province.
A further 121 houses belonging to the middle-income group of people, mostly civil servants like police officers and teachers, were also officially opened by the premier in the adjacent section of Lucas Tsheke.
This is an area named after a martyred South African National Defence Force soldier who was among the soldiers killed in combat against the Seleka rebels in the Central African Republic.
The mayor of the area, Justice Tsheke, said the construction and eventual handover of the houses will be followed by township-wide electrification.
“We are lighting up all the areas of this township under our flagship project to change the lives of our people for the better,” he said.
“Even the houses that we are officially opening today are much bigger with enough rooms to accommodate the entire family.”
Tsheke added that the modern RDP houses were built to restore the dignity of the previously disadvantaged groupings of society.
One happy recipient of a new house was Mantala Mokgatla, 77, who said she had to endure nine years of hard life living in an informal settlement aptly named Baipehing – which loosely translates to “Settlers”.
“We had to do without running water and electricity among others,” she said.
“This area is particularly hazardous during rainy seasons when our shacks are in danger of being washed away.
“I’m truly grateful to the Free State government for coming through for us.”
During the construction phase of the houses 800 locals were hired for the duration of the two years of the project.
Handing over the houses, Magashule pleaded with those who still do not have a house to call their home to persevere, saying their turn is still coming.
“Even if you do not have food for the day, be strong and walk tall, knowing that your turn is also coming,” he said.
“Live in the hope that this government is serious about changing the lives of its people for the better.”
Moqhaka launches against crime
The Moqhaka Local Municipality has responded to the high levels of crime in Kroonstad by partnering the business sector to install surveillance cameras in strategic CBD places.
According to a statement the executive mayor of Moqhaka Local Municipality, Jihad Mohapi, and Kroonstad business forum, will install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at major points across the town by Friday next week, as part of the “Safe Town Project”.
A high-level meeting in this regard was held at the municipal offices on October 15 by both parties where an agreement on the cameras was reached. The two parties believe the cameras will be helpful to law enforcement agencies fighting crime in the town.
“The CCTV cameras are expected to help the traffic department and police keep a check on traffic violations, especially big tracks as they are not allowed to park in town at night. They will also help to nab any act of crime taking place in town.
“CCTV cameras have repeatedly proved its effectiveness in the fight against crime. The fear of crime and knowing that there is an extra set of eyes watching helps to reassure people that they will be safe,” said the statement.
Mohapi was quoted as saying: “It also acts as an important set of eyes for the police, providing valuable evidence where incidents occur.”
Meanwhile, heavy trucks found going through the town will be impounded and owners will pay heavy fines. The CCTVs will also be used to nab trucks that park in town. Trucks are not allowed or permitted to either park or go through the town
Both Mohapi and the business community welcomed this move as a step in the right direction, more so because larger trucks hasten the deterioration of roads due to the extra weight they haul. Cameras will be installed in Cross Street, Reitze Street and at other hotspots in town.
The meeting also agreed to the introduction of a one-hour parking system from November 1. The municipal employees are already busy with road signs and, come November 1, everyone will know when their time is up.
One-hour parking signs will ensure that parking spots are free for others to use and will also help relieve parking pressure by allowing parking for limited periods.
Strict law enforcement on one hour parking and driving without fastening a seat belt will be enforced by the local traffic department. There will be zero tolerance on stop signs and driving whilst using a cell phone.
Moqhaka boasts power supply in Maokeng
The Moqhaka Local Municipality spent millions of rands to ensure that residents of Kroonstad township receive consistent, reliable and uninterrupted electricity supply.
Following constant power cuts, the municipality has commenced with the construction of a new 66kV overhead line and feeder bays in Maokeng Township in Kroonstad. The municipality expects 105 690 households to benefit from the project after its completion.
Moqhaka Local Municipality mayor, Jihad Mohapi, said the 12-month project is nearing completion with 85 percent of work already done.
“We started this project after were received funding to the tune of R7.4-million from the Department of Energy to ensure consistent power supply to the Maokeng area in Kroonstad. The scope of this project entails the construction of 66kV overhead line from the main substation to Maokeng substation with associated switchgear and feeder bays at both substations,” said Mohapi.
Mohapi said more than R6.7-million has already been spent on the project.
“This is one our many ways to ensure that our communities receive better services promised to them as stipulated in the Freedom Charter. We have said people’s lives must be improved for the better. We realised that community members had to use candles and paraffin while they also buy electricity and that was not in line with what we promised our people.”
He added that the municipality has also completed the R1.7-million installation of high mast lights to create a safe environment for the community and decrease crime in the area.
“That project has been completed and people are happy that there has been a reduction of crime in their areas during the night because criminals have nowhere to hide,” said Mohapi.
Forty high mast lights installed in the areas of Maqhaka were funded by Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG)
