PITSO MOJALEFA writes:
The Ekurhuleni Metro Council should undoubtedly receive the “Duffers of the Year” award 2018 for their shocking failure to Ekurhuleni residents they are tasked to service.
As Gauteng sweltered in one of the most severe December heat waves on record, we heard with dismay that the metro palookas had amazingly decided to close all municipal swimming pools in the holiday period, when they are most needed by the community.
It was a huge blow, especially to lower income families who can’t afford their own home pools.
A pompous council spokesman made a complete fool of himself on a national radio station attempting to justify the moronic decision.
According to him there was overcrowding at the council pools during the 2017 festive season period and that resulted in this crazy decision to inconvenience Ekurhuleni recreational swimmers.
But surely it should not take a whole calendar year for a council to simply develop a plan, in conjunction with other council departments, like policing and cleansing departments, to efficiently manage swimming facilities in the sweltering holiday period when they are most desperately needed, and keep our kids off the streets.
It’s not rocket science Mister over-paid executive mayor and city manager.
Merely do as they do in most well-run private resorts by simply restricting the entry to pre-prescribed manageable levels and stop further entry to the pool when the maximum levels are reached.
The current ANC administration sneaked into office by a tiny minority via a coalition arrangement with a tiny fringe party. Their arrogance and stupidity could hopefully see them ejected from office in the next municipal election and make way for a party with the will and ability to adequately serve the public.
Clr Dora Mlambo, MMC for community services, told Express last year that the council’s decision was a safety precaution.
“A limited number of officials, such as lifeguards, will be available during this time as they are on leave,” Mlambo said in a statement prior to the announcement that the pools would be closed. “This may pose a challenge in adhering to basic health and safety requirements at the facilities.”
