Letter of the week: Do councillors care?

I have watched with amazement the demeanour of the mayor in the local newspapers. He is actually smiling at the launch of the new parking system.

Does he realize that all the municipal charges were increased from July 1? Eskom has requested an increase of 19.9 per cent from NERSA across the board. There is an increase in license fees for motor vehicles.

Now we have to have R6 an hour parking fees. What are councillors doing – do they really care about the welfare of people?

Come 2019 they will come begging door to door for votes. When did the road show and public participation take place? Is this a unilateral decision without consultation? Frankly, I am of the opinion that this is also a ploy to support the new mall. How does fleecing the public of R6 an hour provide “a safe and more affordable, accessible and reliable transport system,” Mr Mthembu?

As far as I am concerned, the public should boycott and refuse to pay, just as the people have done for eTolls. I think that it’s time the people of KwaDukuza and surrounding areas joined forces and fought for their rights.

Do not start protesting when we have a crisis. Join hands and correct the irregularities in this town.

Can Cllr Mthembu tell the public how many people approached him or the councillors and addressed their concerns about parking in this town? Mr Mthembu said “it’s our key responsibly to ensure that we listen to our people when they speak and it remains our task to deliver on their wishes.”

Is this really true, Mr Mthembu? You have a Facebook for KDM and nearly every day the people are complaining about the roads and the potholes. What are you doing about this? Are you listening to them?

The mayor and the councillors should realise that the people of this town demand proper service delivery. Every road – especially in the suburbs, is pathetic. Patching and filling potholes is not the answer. They need to be resurfaced. I call on the people of this town to join me and let’s correct the imbalances of this town. I have made representations to NERSA to ignore the electricity increase asked for by Eskom. If they are following the parliamentary enquiry you will realize what a circus the power utility Eskom is.

With the help of the community I am prepared to prepare a dossier to submit to the public protector and to parliament. I think we have tolerated enough.

P.H MAHARAJ

Stanger