MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A resident of Joe Slovo in Mossel Bay contacted the Mossel Bay Advertiser, complaining that a number of residents' water had been cut off and was not even on drip.

He also complained that a crèche in Joe Slovo had been empty for years and vandalised.

He claimed the municipality had not allowed a registered crèche, housed in a shack, to move into the building.

On investigation this week, the municipality found the water supply to houses had not been cut off. Only one property had no water recently because of damage on the property caused by a contractor.

Municipal spokesperson Nickey le Roux stated: "The reason was damage caused to the water connection on the property by the contractor building houses funded by the Department of Human Settlements. The contractor was instructed to do the necessary repairs and the water connection was repaired."

Vandalised

The resident said Sinethemba Crèche in Joe Slovo had been vandalised. He claimed it was because the municipality had allowed it to stand empty for so many years. He says community members asked the municipality to allow a registered crèche, using a shack there, to use the properly built crèche building, but the municipality never allowed it, so that was why the empty building was vandalised.

However, Le Roux said: "The nursery school in question in Joe Slovo was previously leased and until the principal of the preschool died in 2016, the community benefited from its services. The building was in disuse for a time thereafter, without any incidents, but it was badly vandalised in 2017/18.

"The municipality repaired the damage at a considerable cost and again rented out the building in 2019/20.

"Unfortunately, the tenant did not use the building properly and it was again vandalised."

Le Roux said the current cost estimate to restore the building was more than R600 000. "Consequently, council is investigating other possible uses for the building."

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