Glen Marais issues were reported – Terblanche
“Feedback I received was that they did send a vehicle to the park and did not find anything.”
Ward 16 Clr Jaco Terblanche said that councillors cannot physically repair service delivery issues.
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He added that he had been following up on several issues brought up by resident Mark Lodder.
“At the end of January, I had a meeting with the electricity department with regards to the street lights in Ward 16, which included the lights in Witgatboom Avenue as well as Monument Road.
“The department acknowledged that there were material shortages which is why they could not conduct necessary repairs,” he said.
Terblanche added that he has requested streetlight repairs to several roads including those along Monument Road between Dann and Braambos roads and Witgatboom Avenue.
“I followed up on my request on March 1 and was informed that a contractor was appointed.”
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Speaking on the water leaks at Action Park and on Witgatboom Avenue, Terblanche said he reported both leaks.
“It took the department six months to fix the leak in the park because the department was under the impression that Action Park was a wetland.
“The leak in front of Lodder’s house was fixed two weeks after it was reported. During this period there were massive water pipe bursts in the ward.
“The back-filling of the road took a month and I am aware that Lodder is not happy with the work done. I am still attending to this complaint with the department.”
Terblanche added that he and an official from the city’s water department visited Witgatboom Avenue to inspect the leak under the road.
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“None of us could see where the water comes from.”
He added that the general condition of Action Park was also reported to officials.
“I do understand that the residents are not happy with how the grass was cut. I await their response with regards to the maintenance plan for all the parks in Kempton Park,” Terblanche said.
He added that he also reported criminal activity in Action Park to the EMPD.
“Feedback I received was that they did send a vehicle to the park and did not find anything.”
Touching on the cable theft at the park, Terblanche said he had escalated the complaint to the electricity department.
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“During our meeting at the end of February, the department informed me that since it is a park the complaint must be sent to the real estate department, which I have done.
“The role of a councillor is to take up issues on behalf of residents and discuss it with departments. We also escalate the complaints to HOD’s and the city manager.
“Councillors also give community feedback about deliberations that took place in council meetings and source community input for the IDP, which is the ward budget.”
He added that councillors care about their communities.
“We fight for our communities to get service delivery. I do this every day,” he said.
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“Councillors, however, do not go out and physically fix service delivery issues as this goes against their code of conduct.
“They may request and escalate but are not allowed to shout at officials or physically do the work of officials,” Terblanche said.
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