The Advertiser has noted residents’ social media comments showing deep dissatisfaction with the performance of their respective ward councillors.
This is after the Advertiser published a list of local ward councillors’ contact details.
Others claim some councillors are never available when residents need them to intervene with council to attend to long-standing service delivery issues.
Ward 33 councillor Ashley Hoods stood his ground, saying he is a strong voice for the communities in his ward at council.
“I have always been tirelessly pushing the metro to attend to all service delivery issues in my ward,” said Hoods.
His ward consists of Witfield, Lilianton, Berton Park, Hughes, Comet Village, part of Angelo informal settlement, Delmore Park, Delmore Gardens and a portion of Jet Park.
The councillor said he is aware of residents’ unhappiness with the situation in the city and the direction things are taking.
“I always represent the interests of the residents within Ward 33. As a councillor who is always interested in the voice of my constituency, I have escalated a number of service delivery issues to the municipality management team, including the city manager,” said Hoods.
Hoods said because his ward is made up of diverse communities with different problems, needs and expectations, it’s difficult for him to have regular public meetings per area.
“It is impossible to get all the people in my ward together in one area, such as a public hall.
“So to deal with the issues affecting my ward, I have resolved to have separate meetings in the different areas to specifically discuss the problems relevant to those particular areas.
“During such meetings I communicate the latest developments, listen to problems related to service delivery, share information, update and report back on the issues that a particular area faces,” said Hoods.
Hoods said he has held many discussions with residents of Ward 33. Their main concerns are damaged and poorly maintained roads, street lights and stormwater drains, delays in waste removal, cable theft and lack of housing.
Readers’ comments on unavailable ward councillors
The Advertiser recently published contact details of all the Boksburg ward councillors and encouraged readers to contact them whenever they encountered service delivery problems.
One of the readers shared our story on Facebook and here is what her followers had to say:
- Roan Theologo: When I asked what the council and councillors were going to do to address the cable theft problem, I was told in no uncertain terms that it’s not for council but for the SAPS to sort out?
- Sharon Viljoen: They have never answered any of my calls.
- Ashley Rutherford: I guess the DA have finally figured out what I told them years ago… service delivery and residents come first.
- Gawie Olivier: Why do we have councillors, as they always tell you they will follow up and then you never hear of them again, like to know how they get elected.
- Abrie Viljoen: Lol, classic – Just before elections the fairy tales start! Cute.
- Isabel Nel: As usual we will now see all sorts of issues resolved and then straight after the election it is over again.
- Leigh-Anne Correia: Our councillor has always been of assistance when contacted.
- Liz Bishop Crutchley: I would like a list of the second point of contact – if the government is so transparent, we should have all the numbers and email addresses of everyone in each council, including the mayors, then we’d see some change when 500 people phone the mayor complaining of yet another cable theft at 3am.
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