The City of Mbombela (CoM) has made significant strides in sorting out service delivery challenges in five central regions over the past week.

According to the CoM’s spokesperson, Joseph Ngala, a number of potholes, especially in the Mbombela CBD, were patched while blocked storm water drains were opened. He said this success resulted from the lists that were submitted by councillors to the teams who were hands-on in resolving the challenges.

Ngala said the law enforcement and traffic teams enforced trading by-laws along various streets including Bester, Anderson, Andrew, Old Pretoria Road, Short Brown (Ekukhanyeni Centre) and Samora Machel. “The officials also dealt with illegal parking, parking on the pavement and illegal repairs of motor vehicles on roadsides,” said Ngala. “These operations led to 10 vehicles being towed and taken to the municipal pound from Monday to Friday, March 10 to 14. A motorbike was also impounded.”

Some of these vehicles were released after the owners paid various fines depending on the reasons for impounding them.

“We have noticed that those who repair vehicles on roadsides are unable to control oil spills and throw garbage like empty tins and containers in storm water drains, resulting in blockages. We are aware these roadside mechanics are just trying to make a living, but they are doing it the illegal way,” Ngala warned.

The Department of Economic Development and Tourism has come on board. “The department assisted in the inspection of businesses along Short Brown and Anderson streets. We discovered expired goods, which were confiscated and disposed of,” said Ngala.

He thanked businesses and other groups for their participation in cutting grass in open spaces and parks. “It is just fair to give credit where it is due. The participation by businesses and other individuals in the trimming of grass in open spaces and parks is helping us a lot,” Ngala said.