Have you had trouble reporting service delivery issues to the Newcastle Municipality?
If you have been left frustrated with trying to engage with the Newcastle Municipality, either through emails or phone calls, a solution may soon be in sight.
In what has been described as a ‘pilot project’, the Newcastle Municipality will unveil its latest method of communicating with ratepayers soon; one that has the potential to be ‘revolutionary’.
“One of the key issues we have identified in terms of communication is that residents don’t always have access to radio, television and newspapers,” explained Head of Communications, Mlungisi Khumalo. “Most of the community, however, has access to cell phones. This is where the idea of a municipal WhatsApp group was born.”
ALSO READ: Mayor gives municipal staff a stern warning
Khumalo said the decision to embrace the fourth wave of the industrial revolution was one the municipality took to ensure residents had peace of mind.
“With the WhatsApp group, there is a sense of immediacy, as you can see when messages are delivered and read,” he elaborated. “This way, residents will know their complaints are being received.”
The pilot group, which will be officially launched soon by Mayor, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, will begin by operating between 9am and 4pm. As the group grows, so too will the hours increase.
“In terms of turnaround times for complaints received, this will depend on the nature of the issue,” said Khumalo. “We will have a dedicated team monitoring the group, and relevant information will be sent out as well. In the past, we have battled to convey messages to the community. We have had occasions where people say they did not hear of events. By establishing a WhatsApp group, we will be able to quickly send out this type of information, which can then be shared among their contacts too.”
Do you think a municipal WhatsApp group will improve service delivery in Newcastle? Send your thoughts, suggestions and feedback to reveshni@caxton.co.za
What you can report:
Water issues, burst pipes, water leaks, grass cutting issues, electricity faults, meter faults, protest action, any other service delivery issue.
Information the municipality intends to send out:
Press releases, newsletters (this will be launched soon), job alerts, vacancies, tender opportunities, internship opportunities, and more.
Find the full story in this week’s edition of the Newcastle Advertiser, out on shelves from February 28, 2020.
Contact us
WhatsApp: 082 874 5550
Email: Reveshni Douglas (Editor) at reveshni@caxton.co.za
Make sure you follow us for regular updates:
