Ratepayers Association takes a firmer approach
After all else has failed ratepayers will now use a firmer approach to reach satisfactory results
It’s been more than six months since the last Ratepayers Association meeting. For some members, this is not good enough. “We need to be more militant,” said Eddy Veenstra, a statement several members agreed with.
READ THIS: The Estcourt Ratepayers Association awaits meeting
Ideas, suggestions and a way forward were explored when a meeting was held last Wednesday evening at Forderville Primary School. Seven people attended the meeting and it was sadly noted that the attendance was poor, seeing that dissatisfaction regarding service delivery from Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality seems to be at an all-time high.
Chairman Mahomed Osman explained that the association was facing a stumbling block when it came to securing a meeting with the new municipal administrator, Mr Vilakazi.
“It seems as if the administrator is not interested. We have sent letters, but have not received any reply. We need to come up with suggestions as to how we are going to proceed,” said Mr Osman at the beginning of the meeting.
The first suggestion was to stop paying rates.
“We are shooting ourselves in the foot,” said Naveen Rajcoomar. “As ratepayers, we have lost the plot. We are paying someone who does not do anything for the town. It’s ridiculous,” he added.
Former Member of Parliament Tim Jeebodh spoke of another town where residents stopped paying rates due to failing service delivery, and only paid for consumables like electricity and water.
Members requested that he look up the matter and report if it could be applicable to locals. Other suggestions included a report to national government and another letter to the municipal administrator, demanding a response within seven days.
Failing that, members agreed that a letter will be sent to national government and a letter placed in the Estcourt News, stating that the administrator declined to meet with the Ratepayers Association.
Members agreed that this would be the next step. It was also agreed that a public meeting be held to keep residents abreast of the developments the association makes.
WATCH: UPDATE: Inaugural Ratepayers Association meeting is held in Estcourt (video included)
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