Councillor Bill Rundle hopes for improved service delivery in 2025
“There is hope in abundance and we must remain positive that matters will improve"
With the start of the new year, Ward 19 Ald Bill Rundle hopes for the City of Ekurhuleni to restore its financial standing and improve service delivery to the communities.
Rundle intends to hold officials and departments accountable for lack of action or the dereliction of duties.
“There is hope in abundance and we must remain positive that matters will improve through interaction and cooperation between communities and the metro,” he said, mentioning that Edenvale is largely functional.
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“The same cannot be said for several of the other established sister towns.”
In Rundle’s opinion, the functionality of the town is a result of the effort of community members, public representatives and volunteer groups.
He thanked residents and volunteers for their continued dedication to maintaining and caring for their surrounding areas and encouraged them to continue doing so until the municipality has fulfilled its obligation.
Rundle described 2024 as a hectic year. “The impact of the lack of planning and required skills by those that govern us finally manifested in the almost total collapse in water and energy resources and infrastructure countrywide.
“The results and effects of failed service delivery and lack of financial capacity and resources at the local government level were to be seen everywhere.”
Pointing out highlights from last year, Rundle said: “On a political level Ward 19 ran a very successful election campaign in the May 2024 elections and was a top 10 finisher in Gauteng in terms of the overall results achieved.
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“There were three other ward councillors from CoE also in the top 10 including my colleague Heather Hart in Ward 18.”
Another highlight for Rundle was the successes achieved at the Municipal Public Accounts Committee where irregular and wasteful; expenditure matters were investigated.
“Disciplinary and other processes commenced and the resolution and finalisation of long outstanding matters concluded,” said Rundle.
Addressing some of the challenges which were faced last year, Rundle said the functionality of all depots especially parks, roads, water and energy was severely affected.
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He said this was exasperated by the lack of serviceable vehicles because of challenges in the fleet department.
Rundle explained that this had a knock-on effect on EMPD which had limited vehicles to conduct law enforcement.
Other challenges identified include the lack of maintenance specifically along the Eastleigh Spruit and the proliferation of unauthorised and uncontrolled buildings and development in the town.
Rundle encourages community members to unite and work together for the improvement of Edenvale.
