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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality is concerned by the unopened R24 million taxi rank project in Thlolong. 

After the Mayor of Maluti-A-Phofung, Gilbert Mokotso, and his entourage decided not to formally open the Thlolong Taxi Ranks on 10 June 2022, due to the vandalism of post-completion in September 2021.

In February 2023, community members contacted the DA to request assistance with water at the Taxi ranks. Upon enquiry, community members stated that they were now running businesses from the Taxi Rank Kiosks, after allegedly being given permission to do so by Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality.

Oversight visits of the taxi ranks by the DA in January and February revealed buildings stripped bare and covered in graffiti, and animal parts stuck to one of the security doors. It was also found that the kiosks have been occupied by informal traders.

The DA’s Leona Kleynhans raised questions in the Provincial Legislature in August of 2022 and the MEC for CoGTA, Mxolisi Dukwana, answered:

• The municipality provided municipal security after the completion of the project.
• The spatial development of Kestell was considered in the decision to build the taxi ranks.
• The management and security of the taxi ranks were the responsibility of the taxi Association.
• Meetings were arranged to sign MOUs with the taxi Association.

After enquiries were made, the DA learnt that the contractor supplied security at the sites after the handover, after which the Taxi Association would take over. However, after two months of non-payment, the security company withdrew. Again, private security was placed at the sites from 27 December 2021 to 12 January 2022 to stop vandalism. Since then, security has been on site, and as of the end of December 2022, the estimated damage was close to R500 000.

The DA will raise follow-up questions with the municipality, and the Provincial Legislature.

The DA remains committed to ensuring that local government is held responsible for their lack of action and accountability for taxpayer funds and that these facilities are run in a responsible manner.

Issued by Bea Campbell-Cloete - DA Councillor Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality