UPDATE: Uthukela informs community that a lack of funds delays long-term solution to water issues
It did not appear as if a long term solution was reached to put the on-going water problems to a much anticipated end
Uthukela District Municipality called for a meeting earlier today at the Forderville Community Hall and invited the community of Inkosi Langalibalele to be part of it.
RELATED ARTICLE: Meeting to address water concerns is underway
Uthukela District Municipality hosted the meeting as part of their 2018/19 Integrated Development Plan (IDP) public consultation with the aim of giving stakeholders the opportunity to have an input.
Unfortunately the time for the meeting to take place (10am) is when majority of the affected ward 10 members are at work.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Locals enraged by Uthukela’s no-show at second water meeting
An estimated 40 locals managed to attend the meeting. Ward 10 councillor, Edith Lite welcomed everyone and began to list the many grievances that her community are faced with.
She also made mention of the poor attendance, saying that it can be due to Uthukela District Municipality not showing up at prior meetings.
The issues raised were: the three months without water, pressure management, billing issues, maintenance of the pump in Canna Avenue, dirty water, water leaks, indigent forms, roads being dug up to access pipes and not re-filled, water tankers, Jojo tanks and the upgrade of the reservoir.
READ MORE HERE: Locals up in arms over water issue
Mayor of Uthukela District Municipality, Councillor AS Mazibuko thanked Mrs Lite for the platform to answer. He went on to apologise for missing previous meetings saying ‘it is not our style in which we work as a district.’
He made the attendees aware that special attention will be paid to Ward 10, mostly on the technical side, as they have identified that the ward has an issue. In cases where Mr Mazibuko fell short or had little knowledge, he allowed for his co-workers to address the item in-depth.
Above all, the challenge of funds is the reason projects that are set to maintain infrastructure and develop water storage will be delayed. Mr Mazibuko also urged locals to pay their bills to assist the municipality in generating revenue, which will be allocated to the fixing of existing infrastructure.
ALSO READ: Forderville residents plea for a water transformation
Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality’s’ Mayor, Councillor Jabulile Mbele welcomed the call to have this meeting by saying: “honesty and ethics is a skill and talent. We thank you for engaging with us. Ward 10 is made up of some of the oldest suburbs in the town and it is no surprise that they are experiencing problems.”
ALSO READ: Forderville residents plea for a water transformation
She invited the community to also raise whatever challenges or successes they have experienced with the Mayors Forum. In closing she advised Uthukela District Municipality officials to address their staff at their local office to have a better working relationship with the community they serve.
It did not appear as if a long-term solution was reached to put the on-going water problems to a much-anticipated end. Just one community member gave input, which was noted while many others had to excuse themselves to return to work and fetch their children from school.
Don’t miss next week Wednesday’s edition of the Estcourt News for a detailed story of the above.
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