EDITOR – So, 'Dump-by-Sea' is wagging a little finger again and hurling threats and misinformation from its bottomless mug.
Firstly, the 'new' 'nuisances by-laws' on the city's website is wanting – it has neither the date of publication in the Provincial Gazette nor Promulgation (effective) date. It is not enough to say that it was adopted by council on 24 June.
That said, according to the gazetted and published version, the by-laws take effect six months from 11 September or an earlier date to be made known in a commencement notice in the provincial gazette.
Suppose that date is 1 November. It follows then, that from midnight on this date, we will, for the first time, see (and hear) our city taking huge strides towards becoming 'Africa's most Caring and Liveable City'. It also follows that, at that exact time, the 36 by-laws, regulations, et cetera listed in these by-laws as schedule one will stand wholly or partially repealed – no longer enforceable.
So, some of my simple questions to the city spin doctor are: How were those 36 by-laws and regulations enforced over the past 15 to 22 years, given that now, all of a sudden, “Metro Police, which includes enforcement officials, are being trained to effectively enforce it (the nuisances by-laws)?” – were they ever enforced?
If yes, to what extent and effectiveness? If no (or sometimes), why, when the Durban Metropolitan Police Service (DuMPS) has been tasked with enforcing by-laws for more than a hundred years already?
How many other by-laws are the officers of DuMPS aware of? When exactly is the commencement date of these by-laws?
How often do you – city officials and staff – shirk responsibilities?
Are you getting 'back to basics'? Why do you cherry-pick requirements of the Municipal Systems (or Structures) Act?
Mahmood
North Beach
