Councillors sit for final meeting
Other points debated were the payment of R706 017.96 requested by Sandile Security for a three-year contract
The final council meeting for 2015 was held at Umtshezi Municipality last Wednesday.
The lengthy agenda saw councillors sitting through a marathon-meeting.To begin councillors were given an opportunity to voice concerns that were not contained in the agenda.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign was fully supported by councillors, who spoke about stopping the scourge of violence and abuse.
Other matters that were raised included service delivery protests, which are allegedly ‘orchestrated’ by councillors, road signs, street names, visibility of the traffic officers and the handing over and monitoring of projects.
Three verbal presentations were included on the agenda.
Representatives from the National Interfaith Council of South Africa (Nicsa) emphasised the importance of councillors working with religious leaders to bring unity, nation building and social cohesion.
Supply Chain Executive Rob Thorogood from Masonite Africa Ltd was the next speaker who advised council of the trying times that the company is facing.
He said that the over-supplied market, growing costs and the explosion at the mill in June last year, could mean that 1 250 jobs are at stake.
Mr Thorogood said that the company has started to review its strategies to make a turnaround.
The final presentation was from property developers HZ Investments who proposed a ‘new town centre’ within Estcourt.
The team explained that Estcourt has the potential to grow and a new central node would rejuvenate the town.
Turning their attention to the contents of the agenda, councillors were informed of the results from the votes cast for the renaming of the merged Umtshezi and Imbabazane municipalities.
‘Langalibalele’ was the unanimous choice. The suggestions will be forwarded to government for approval.
Other points debated were the payment of R706 017.96 requested by Sandile Security for a three-year contract.
Councillors were livid after discovering that no contract was in place and called for the Director involved to be dealt with.
Acting Municipal Manager Elphas Dladla assured councillors that action, in terms of the Code of Conduct will be carried out.
Part two next week.
