EDITOR – The letter from Bobby Lamont in the Berea Mail, dated 5 June, refers.
Mr Lamont suggests that my response was simply to excuse the situation regarding trucks in Umbilo. Nothing is further from the truth. On the day in question, and via e-mail, I have explained the situation from my side to Mr Lamont and many others.
I have repeatedly requested interventions from Metro Police and the eThekwini Transport Authority, including a number of meetings and site visits. I request and receive regular updates on operations in that area. I have also explained that Metro Police does not have a truck yard and there is no proper truck stop or management process for trucking. I have asked that this be addressed. This is not me saying that this is acceptable, but rather explaining why the situation exists. I fully understand the frustrations of residents in this area. The situation is unacceptable.
Councillors are fundamentally representatives of their respective wards on the Council. We are able to assist with municipal issues and oversee municipal services. Unfortunately, this does not extend to instructing officials or making decisions in isolation about our respective wards.
I am happy to take responsibilities for issues that I have not attended to timeously or adequately, but I please also ask that residents are fair when publicly claiming that we have not assisted them. We encounter many of the same frustrations when dealing with the city as residents do, and there is a big difference between a councillor not responding to an issue and an issue not being adequately resolved by the city.
Councillor Nicole Graham
Glenwood
