EFF in Tshwane condemns the fuel shortage in the City of Tshwane municipal depots
2 July 2023
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Tshwane condemns the recent shortages of diesel and petrol in all the Tshwane Municipality Depots. These shortages have had a significant impact on the municipality's ability to provide essential services to its residents, and we believe that this is unacceptable. We call on the MMC for Utility Services to urgently address this issue and provide answers to the main reasons behind these fuel shortages. The City of Tshwane must ensure that such shortages do not occur again in the future, as they have a direct impact on the livelihoods of our people.
In his statement, Mr. Adolphus Madonsela indicated that busses and trucks must not fill-up more than 100 litres of fuel while the other vehicles are not allowed to refuel more than 50 litres of their capacity.
That means some services must also be limited due to such shortages. The question we are asking the MMC for Utility Services is, "What are the main reasons behind these shortages of fuel in the municipality?" It must be noted that the same problems have occurred in February 2023 and some frivolous reasons were given behind it. "We had some problems with migration process from SAP [which deals with payment of service providers.] to S4HANA system." The City of Tshwane was quoted saying in defense of the same problem early this year.
Tshwane's DA-ActionSA run administration is a repeat offender when it comes to services delivery and governance hence nothing works under their leadership. The 2022 Auditor's General Report with adverse opinion confirmed our experience and painted a bleak picture in the City's Administra tion. We hereby inform every voter that this coalition government they gave us are uncaring people who cannot govern.
The Multi Party Coalition are transgressors of note who are quick to disconnect poor families and households of Winterveldt, Garankuwa, Bokonhout, Mamelodi, Soshanguve, Refilwe and many others from services like water and electricity during winter and when students are writing exams.
These are not caring people but business oriented capitalists who do not deserve to be given another chance to govem Tshwane Municipality. The EFF is pretty sure that the cause to these shortages are nothing else but non-payment of service providers. According to Section 65 (2)(e) of Municipal Finance Management Act (2003); all the monies owed by the municipality must be paid within 30 days unless if there are valid reasons to delay same. We are very sure that in this instance, the Tshwane Municipality will be found wanting again for not paying the service providers.
Our concems are with the bus commuters coming from as far as Refilwe and surrounding wards who depends on busses for transport to ferry them to hospitals, work, schools, universities as well as visiting their loved ones. We just cannot imagine seeing them stuck in busses that are short of diesel.
We therefore call on the residents of the City to note what is happening under this administration with contempt that it deserves. The DA, FFpIus and ActionSA just like the ANC must be booted out in the coming elections.
It is only the EFF that can run this municipality efficiently and effectively to give you proper uninterrupted service delivery. Executive Mayor, Mr. Randal Williams will continue showing you a middle finger when it comes to proper service delivery and hearing your grievances. EFF will never turn its back against anyone whether they voted for it or not. We are committed to serve and we are going to write to the Mayor and MMC for Utility Services to demand that they quickly sort out this mess we are finding ourselves into.
We also demand that the City of Tshwane provide a detailed plan on how it intends to mitigate the effects of these fuel shortages on essential services such as healthcare, public transport, and waste management. The EFF will continue to monitor this situation closely and hold those responsible accountable for any further disruptions to service delivery.
Issued by Obakeng Ramabodu, Regional Chairperson, EFF Tshwane, 2 July 2023
