Water delivery… That was the concern on most councillors’ minds at the monthly council meeting held on Wednesday, July 30.
During the verbal motion or notice to council segment, several councillors, including Mayor Bongani Dlamini, commented on the poor water and sanitation services delivered in Umtshezi by the district, Uthukela District Municipality.
Water interruptions, an inefficient call centre and sewer spills were among what the councillors called ‘great concerns’.
Sparking off the discussion was Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) PR Councillor Mthembeni Majola who said that the recent service delivery protest in Roosboom near Ladysmith mirrored what some Umtshezi residents felt.
Deputy Mayor Bhekithemba Abel Dlamini said that in Wembezi residents experienced water cuts for two days.
Democratic Alliance PR Councillor LeRoy Gericke pointed out that a number of potholes are caused by Uthukela District Municipality (UDM) staff who repair pipes. He suggested that a Memorandum of Agreement be signed with UDM to compel staff to return and repair the sites they work on.
Ward Three councillor Duncan Magubane, who is also Umtshezi’s representative at Uthukela District Municipality, apologised on behalf of the district for poor services and said, “we are working on it.”
Ugan Chetty, Ward Four councillor also added input about the water services and said the road rehabilitation in Connor Street has caused frustration when water pipes were burst by the contractor and this resulted in water interruptions to residents in the area.
The Mayor rounded up the water concerns saying that while he has raised his concerns with the District Mayor Mrs Mazibuko, the local council should come up with suggestions to alleviate the water service problems that residents experience. Mr Dlamini also likened the strike in Roosboom to the frustration that some consumers may feel.
“R2, 5 million was spent for the Mayoral Cup and Roosboom needed R1, 8 million to lay pipes for water. The residents are thinking that you can stage a cup at that cost but say you don’t have funds to help us. The district spent R3 million for the Salga Games but they say they have problems with water delivery trucks in Weenen. The trucks are only a temporary measure, people must have running water,” commented Mr Dlamini.
Other issues raised by councillors during the verbal motions were the CCTV cameras that are not operational, cleaning of gutters before the rainy season approaches, the land dispute in Vumbu and the ‘September 11’ take over when opposition parties voted in a new Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Speaker.
Democratic Alliance PR Councillor LeRoy Gericke urged the municipal management to budget for funds to support the Estcourt and District SPCA. He raised a concern that often when motions are made to council, they are ignored.
“What use it is to give us councillors a time to speak when nothing is done about it? I have made many reports but get no response, I submit them anyway,” he said.
Mr Chetty remarked that residents often enquire about the status of projects undertaken by the municipality. “We need a simplified spreadsheet of contracts, pay outs and progress of projects. There is a lot taking place but it does not reach the completion stage and sometimes there are requests for extra money,” he said.
The Ward Four councillor also remarked about the growing number of illegal dumping sites in Forderville and municipal vehicles being driven by people not employed at the municipality.