Far from Paradise

How much do you think your ward councillor should do for your ward?

Residents of Paradise are claiming that they have to live in an area deteriorating towards neglect. For many, the rough conditions of the roads and parks are a daily cause for concern.

Some roads feature hazardous potholes, while rutting along others make driving in Paradise a costly and sometimes dangerous affair.

“It’s terrible. People pay exorbitant rates and taxes only for the ward councillor, Tanya de Jager, to say that she will get back to you, but she never does,” said one irate resident, who wanted to remain anonymous. “The only time you see her in Paradise is when the elections are close, and then only on a poster.”

The resident also pointed out municipal ground situated on Lacerta Place, where overgrowth completely concealed an electricity meter box. Some bushes had grown as high as the wooden pylons carrying electrical wires.

Upon investigation, this reporter had to do some “bundu-bashing” through dense brush and stinging thorns to even see the electrical meter box.

“These bushes have easily been growing for the last six months, and it is an eye sore,” said the resident. According to another resident, the conditions of the roads are very dangerous, and there is an accident waiting to happen around every bend.

“I drive through Paradise almost daily. Sometimes I have to drive on the opposite side of the road to avoid the crater-sized potholes that are all over the place,” he said. “I have no choice but to drive all over the place to avoid damaging my car, and in many places you have to turn into the oncoming lane to avoid the holes that are right on the corners. I think this is a good way to get myself killed,” he continued.

This resident claimed to have also contacted Cllr de Jager of Ward 4, who gave him vague, non-committal replies, saying that she had “done all she could”.

Coupled with the failing of the maintenance of the Paradise Sports Grounds, which the Advertiser has also written about on more than one occasion, residents are fed-up with the poor service delivery.

When contacted for comment, Cllr de Jager said she had done what she could. “I would write down every complaint as I receive it, then I would phone, e-mail and SMS the complaint to the relevant department,” she explained. “I have been complaining about the roads in Paradise for over a year now.”

She also admitted to not knowing where one of the streets in her own ward was. Matthew Shunmugam, portfolio councillor for Development, Planning and Human Settlements, commented that the need to prioritise problems with roads on the budget was first and foremost in dealing with a problem of this nature.

“Firstly, one will need to get the issue onto the budget as a priority, be it through your ward committee meetings or even council. Without a budget, the problem will continue indefinitely,” said Cllr Shunmugam.

“The needs for each ward need to be prioritised, and the ward councillors need to speak up for their own wards; no one else will do it for them.”
Cllr de Jager reiterated that she was doing all she could do, and was following up all complaints. “I am doing my job,” she emphasised. She also claimed that vindictiveness was the main reason behind residents complaining about problems in her ward.

Dr Imraan Keeka, chairperson for the DA in Amajuba, had nothing but praise for Cllr de Jager.

“First, know that Cllr De Jager is an extremely hardworking councillor. This we even hear from our political opponents and is certainly a feather in her cap and ours,” said Dr Keeka.

“You may not know, but DA councillors are subject to performance assessments on a regular basis. Much like a school report. And you know that if you’re not doing well, that you need to do better. Other parties lack such accountability mechanisms and you therefore see their under performance,” he continued.

“We are confident in the abilities and performance of our public representatives and hold each one accountable, as I am too. It is a responsibility we take very seriously as the party’s leadership,” said Dr Keeka.

“That there is tardiness on the side of municipal officials, can’t be blamed on anything but the lack of political will to get things done. The buck stops there. And there is certainly no blame on those councillors who actually look for, and actively take complaints and make every attempt to resolve issues,” he concluded.

Dr Keeka wrote an in-depth reply to the questions asked by this publication. The complete response can be read online. About Cllr de Jager, another resident said, “She might be working hard, but we see no results. Why is it that all of us who live in Paradise must suffer?”

The question now arises, why has the mayor, who resides in Paradise, not done anything about the terrible conditions of the roads, or even raised the matter to his allegedly able ward councillor?

In the meanwhile, must long-suffering ratepayers in Paradise accept that service delivery, or the lack of it, depends on the whims of their ward councillor, or are there higher powers-to-be who are pulling the political strings behind the scenes ahead of the next elections?

DA chairperson for Amajuba responds to Paradise road issues.