The Tembisa One Customer Care Centre (CCC) at Rabasotho hosted an open day exhibition on October 5 to make residents aware of the services the municipality provides.
Customer relations manager Tebogo Molefe said it was important the centre engaged with the community about services provided by the City of Ekurhuleni.
“Our aim is to promote interaction between the municipality and the residents,” said Molefe.
Molefe said the council continue to experience a high volume of illegal electricity connections, a practice that has already killed some residents.
“We have already lost a staff member who was electrocuted while working in the area,” added Molefe.
Molefe said residents should not resort to crime by damaging public properties, traffic lights, and roads when they take part in protest actions.
“We held this open day for our people to try to understand the challenges they are faced with. We want the community to communicate with us whenever they are not happy with our services,” said Molefe.
Molefe added that other challenges facing the centre included illegal dumping, protesters burning tyres on tarred roads and illegal electricity connections.
“All of these practices affect the municipality negatively because instead of moving forward to other projects, we have to use resources to fix what has been damaged by the protesters instead of providing excellent service to our people,” said Molefe.
Among the departments represented at the open day exhibition included finance, energy, waste, water and sanitation, parks, transport planning and provision, human settlement, home affairs, health and social development, South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), road and stormwater, Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and Sports Recreation Arts and Culture (SRAC).
Residents were given a briefing on how to access services from all of the above departments.
Speaking on behalf of EMPD, Josias Masilela told the residents that the EMPD’s reason for existence is to protect the public and property in the event of public violence. He said its function is not to harass communities.
“We are encouraging members of the community to report any suspected criminal incidents in their areas.
“Our people should not only regard us as police because we also render various community services related to by-laws, awareness campaigns, among others. We are working together with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to eradicate criminal behaviour in the communities,” said Masilela.
Masilela said residents should be well informed about illegal things that happen in communities such as illegal dumping, illegal connections and land invasion.
“All of these components could see you go to jail. It is imperative to know what to do and what not to do in your community, and not be misled by the others. If there is something that concerns your life, and you need a solution, approach relevant departments instead of seeking information from the wrong people,” said Masilela.
Brochures from various departments were distributed among those who were present.
A Vosloorus pantsula dance group, AmaGents, and the local Youth Channel entertained the residents.
Gifts were given to all the residents who took part in the open day.
