Heidelberg business owners raise concerns

A group of concerned Heidelberg business owners met to discuss issues relating to the Lesedi Local Municipality on Monday, November 14.

The general consensus was that local businesses and the community do not approve of the non-service delivery that is being experienced in the Heidelberg area.

A conclusion was made that action needs to be taken to ensure that the LLM delivers on its promises.

The businesses are being crippled by continuous power failures and business owners are of the opinion that the LLM is not doing anything to rectify the ongoing problem.

“When power failures occur, businesses usually pay out of their own pockets to ensure that they can still operate and do business,” said one of the concerned business owners at the meeting.

“LLM is nowhere to be seen to fix the issues.”

The general feeling was that no business can survive continuous electrical power failures for days on end.
“With all the issues being experienced, we as local businesses want to hold the LLM accountable,” said a prominent businessman.

Issues and concerns raised during the meeting included potholes, house break-ins, theft out of gardens, illegal buildings being erected and bylaws not being enforced by the LLM.

It was also mentioned that none of the traffic lights in Voortrekker Street are in working order.

Lampposts are collapsing or rusted, posing a life-threatening hazard to individuals.

Coupled with all these issues, the debt of millions owed by the LLM to Eskom was also raised.
The increase in beggars and drug abuse was further discussed.

A concerned community member mentioned that the accounts department is in shambles.

Final notification and demand letters are being sent out to residents even if their accounts are up to date.
Lesedi Local Municipality officials were invited to attend the meeting. No representatives attended.