Lapsed contract to blame for Glenwood’s weedy problem

GLENWOOD'S pavements need to be weeded as a matter or urgency, according to councillor Nicole Graham, who has urged the city to speed up the tender process for the hiring of contractors to tackle the weeds in Glenwood.

Graham said she had requested that something be done to rid pavements in and around Glenwood and the city in general of weeds.

“The city manages weeds through contractors who spray pavements, but the contract has lapsed and weeds have been left to grow, which also happened last year. I made a query through the Bid Adjudication Committee regarding progress, and all Parks could say was that there was a process to be followed. This is a city-wide problem and weeds are growing out of hand. It is unacceptable,” she said.

Graham said this was however not the only contract to lapse. She said contracts affect the street lights and orange bag collection had also both lapsed.

“I have had complaints from residents regarding the orange bags, but I have had no response from DSW for two weeks. Durban residents pay some of the highest rates in the country. The least that can happen is for the areas to be maintained. If the municipality knows contracts are going to end, they should start planning earlier in the year. Councillors have raised these issues at Exco as well,” she said.

Graham said this was a sympton of a complete crisis of basic functionality in the City.

“Cleaning the streets, changing the lights and collecting recycling should happen without a hitch, but it has become apparent that it is becoming more difficult for things to be done in the City,” she said.