AfriForum getting ready for next round of fight

Date: 13 February 2016 By: Isabel Venter

Following their recent conquest to help restore the water supply network in Louis Trichardt, AfriForum is once more gearing up to go back to court.

Towards the end of last year, the Louis Trichardt branch of AfriForum took over the control of a strategic pump station in President Steyn Street. For a while it seemed that this intervention would succeed in ensuring a continuous supply of water to Louis Trichardt residents. The past week, however, many residents indicated that they have once again not had municipal water for days on end.

As time passed, explained local AfriForum chairperson Mr Wally Schultz, the “shambolic dysfunction of the successive acting administrations of the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) became clear”.

Schultz confirmed that a new plan is afoot to hold the crippled VDM accountable. He has already met with Werner Human and advocate Jan Saunders of the AfriForum legal team to assist in formulating a plan of action. More details are expected to be made available during the upcoming annual general meeting of the local branch this coming week.

In the meantime, Schultz acknowledges that it is an ongoing struggle to deliver water to everybody.

He advised residents, for the interim, to contact the water truck services of the VDM at tel. 071 674 0797.

Another concern for Schultz is that the management of the President Steyn Street pump station is incurring a lot of expenses. The bill for all the maintenance work done on the station to get it up and running was partially footed by the local branch and the head office of AfriForum. “If we had more members, we could easily afford it, and maybe even other pump stations,” said Schultz. “The more members we are, the more we can do for the community - as simple as that.”

With that in mind, Schultz implored the community to come out in their hundreds and attend their annual general meeting to be held this coming Thursday (today). The meeting will be held at the clubhouse of the Soutpansberg Golf Club in Hospitaal Street at 18:00.

For more information, Schultz can be contacted at Tel 079 298 2676.

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Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

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