PROGRAMME NAME: EMERGENCY MUNICIPAL LOADSHEDDING RELIEF GRANT

REPORTING PERIOD: September 2023                    REPORT NUMBER:  07/2023

PROJECT NAME: Procurement of Back-Up Generators for Overberg Region

SUMMARY OF APPROVED SCOPE OF WORK PER PROJECT
As per business plan submitted on 3 March 2023, ODM to purchase and ensure the safe-keeping of three (3) 100 KVA generators for use by the District Municipality and the four (4) Local Municipalities in the Overberg region as and when required on a first come, first serve basis in response to the prolong load-shedding, thereby mitigating the impact on the provision of basic services and potential health risks.

The following equipment will be purchase and installed:

• 1 x 100 KVA generator with 10 KVA UPS for Disaster Management Centre
• 2 x 100 KVA mobile back-up generators mounted on custom built twin axle trailers.

PROCURED OR INSTALLED ASSET LOCATION(S)

PROCURED ASSET INFORMATION

OVERALL PROGRESS AND EXPENDITURE TO DATE
Below is a schedule that indicated the actual cost of R1 000 424 already paid and the committed cost of R599 576 for which deliveries/payments are awaited:

The two generators that was delivered on 29 June 2023, had since been mounted on the trailers and the mobile units are temporarily stationed at the Fire Brigade in Bredasdorp. (see photo below). Once the cable connections had been completed, the units will be deployed to the ODM depots at Caledon and Swellendam to serve as backup generators for the site offices and petrol pumps situated at these depots. From these locations, the mobile generators could then easily be deployed to assist with any dire needs at the nearby local municipalities in the Overberg District. The connections cost and cabling, necessary to connect the mobile emergency generators to operate, was not provided for in the original business plan. However, there is sufficient funding available within the grant allocation to cater for these necessary requirements.  

PROGRAMME CHART AND CASHFLOW PROJECTIONS
The grant payment had been received in full and an amended TPA signed for roll-overs.

ANTICIPATED RISKS AND CHALLENGES
None – the mobile units will be deployed to be mobilized from Caledon and Swellendam depots once the cable connection installations had been completed, aiming for end of October 2023.

MITIGATING ACTIONS
An approval for roll-over of the unspent grant had been received from PT on 18 August 2023 and approved by Council in the Adjustment budget on 21 August 2023.

UPDATED MONTHLY PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
An updated public announcement was published on ODM’s website on 6 September 2023 on the ODM website: https://odm.org.za/news

RG Bosman
Municipal Manager
Overberg District Municipality
Date: 2023/10/06

Public Works and Infrastructure warns of a jobs scam

2 Oct 2023

As the festive season is getting closer, fraudsters have increased their unscrupulous methods of tricking unsuspecting South Africans to part with their hard earned money.

One of these methods, which is currently on the rise, is to fraudulently advertise jobs, falsely claiming they are at the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. Unsuspecting job seekers are prompted to send their applications to a website bearing the name of the department but has slight difference from the official site.

Once the application is received by the fraudsters, applicants are requested to deposit money for a purported verification fee. Applicants are requested to make the deposit via cell-phone generated money transferee know as E-Wallets and at supermarkets like Spar, Shoprite, Pick ‘n Pay, etc.

After the money is deposited, fraudsters disappear with the money never to be seen again.  This leaves the potential job seekers broke and their sensitive personal information at the hands of fraudsters who could further use the information to commit more fraud.

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) will NEVER ask for payment for ANY jobs advertised.  DPWI only advertises jobs through the DPSA circular and on the official DPWI website – www.publicworks.gov.za

The website, application links and the email addresses ALWAYS end with gov.za and never with .org as advertised in the latest fraudulent advert.

We urge all job seekers to always verify all advertised vacancies by going to the official websites as highlighted above.  Job seekers are also advised to visit DPWI offices to verify any vacancies advertised. 

The current vacancy scam that has been doing the rounds, is for 85 Data Capturing Clerks.  The DPWI has not advertised this and warns the public NOT to click on the link and send their sensitive information.

Enquiries:
Thami Mchunu
Director: Media and Stakeholder Relations 
Cell: 079 519 6997

Issued by: Department of Public Works and Infrastructure

The Overberg District Municipality has the following vacancies to be filled as soon as possible:

DIRECTOR COMMUNITY SERVICES

Full adverts can also be viewed here: https://odm.org.za/current-opportunities

Application forms are available at our Head Office, Sub-District Offices or on our website here.

CLOSING DATE: 23 October 2023

Published 2023-10-03

The Overberg welcomed clear skies from early this morning and are very grateful for it. 

Our fatalities now stand at three (3) persons. Our deepest condolences to their families during these difficult times.  A Medivac operation, this morning, was required to airlift critical ill patients (not related to the floods) to Cape Town.

Rescue efforts continues throughout the Overberg.  The majority of the rescue efforts are focussed on reaching persons in need of medical assistance in water isolated areas, responding to the needs of displacement communities and even, assisting farmers with the location of their livestock.  Isolated towns and communities are low on water and food supplies.  Every effort is being made to reach them with replenishments.   

The focus is now on the Breede river area: Malgas, Diepkloof and Infanta.  The river has risen to above the June 2023 levels and still rising. The groups around the river are well organised and remain in contact with the Disaster Management centre that stand ready to respond if needed.

Due to a truly mammoth (or “MacGyver”) effort our Eskom technicians have been able to establish power to large parts of the Overberg, but still certain areas have now been without electricity since Saturday evening, efforts to restore power are ongoing.  This is still affecting our connectivity across the Overberg.

Humanitarian assistance is ongoing in all regions of the Overberg.  Local communities are assisting the local Municipal efforts and we are very grateful to them.  All spheres of government are involved and assisting with these efforts.

The Provincial and District roads departments are working around the clock to assess, clear and repair roads. About 40 roads are still closed other than the main roads.  The support from the local landusers is much appreciated. Please check the local municipal (Theewaterskloof, Overstrand, Swellendam and Cape Agulhas) Facebook pages for the latest information.

The damage to water infrastructure is a challenge for all the municipalities. Again, all efforts are being made to maintain uninterrupted basic services delivery.   

We received several requests to comment on the extent of damages. In summary, till all roads (& bridges) and crop reports can be made we will not be able to give the answers.  We received the following feedback from our representative from Agri Western Cape:

• Sheep losses.
• Pumps, and agriculture equipment either lost or damage.
• Landslides, erosion damage to cultivated lands and the environment.
• Damage to agriculture crops is only guess work for now:
  • Access to lands to be able to harvest – damage roads and waterlogged fields.
  • Losses and impact can only be determined when the water levels subside.

We want to end this release with complimenting and recognising our disaster management services and first responders.

Reinard Geldenhuys
Manager: Emergency Services
Overberg District Municipality
Email: rgeldenhuys@odm.org.za

End of report