VRYHEID KZN: Municipal Matters

Speaker Michael Khumalo, who also chairs the Rapid Response Team, visited the Sasko area after it was brought to the municipality’s attention that there were households in that area that were still without electricity. Speaker Khumalo called a meeting with the community last week Wednesday afternoon, where members of the community had an opportunity to table their service delivery frustrations, which included lack of electricity, inaccessible roads, raw sewer spillages, leaking water pipes and meters, as well as the need for employment opportunities and youth-related activities. Community member Bonginkosi Buthelezi indicated that there were about 100 households that did not have electricity. “These are some of the RDP houses that were built but never had electricity installed. We have a serious challenge of raw sewer spillage in the low-lying areas next to the sewage pump station. All the existing roads require gravel or paving, as they are not accessible, especially after it has rained.

Also, two sections of this area, which are Section A and D, are very dark, making it easy for criminals to do as they please. Therefore we would like to have high mast lights installed,” said Buthelezi. The community was in unison with Buthelezi and further highlighted that they were struggling to get bursaries for those students who would like to further their education and training. They also requested sporting and recreational facilities, especially for the youth in the area. Another community member, Mr Masango, indicated that there was no primary school in the area. “Our children are not safe when crossing the main road going to Bhekuzulu Primary School since we do not have one in the area. We would like to at least have a lower primary school that will cater for the little ones. While we are waiting for a primary school, in the meantime we would like to request a scholar patrol, as it is not safe for the children to cross South Street on their own.”

Speaker Khumalo listened to all the requests from the community members and promised to get back to them once he has spoken to all the relevant departments. “We will consolidate all this information and spread it to various departments within the municipality and other government departments. Once they have given me detailed information on how we will be going forward and the assistance they will each give, I will then call another meeting where I will be reporting back to you on what will be and will not be done,” said Speaker Khumalo.

Honeysucker officially handed over to the mayor

Communities that were in desperate need of a honeysucker to empty their restrooms can now breathe a sigh of relief, as the 5000-litre capacity honeysucker was officially handed over to the municipality last week. Areas such as Kwagxoba, R300, D Section, Boyane and Cliffdale will have improved service delivery and this will include Ngoje police station as well, since they also use septic toilets. “This is a great milestone when we are looking into issues of health for our communities. This honeysucker will assist us greatly in ensuring the health and safety of our people. We will have a schedule that will give us direction on when the honeysucker is going to be cleaning the toilets and in which area.

Those private farms who also have sceptic toilets will need the services of this honeysucker; therefore we need to come up with a strategy that will assist us in ensuring that we bill them accordingly. “We are thankful that we are delivering on our mandate, which is to change the lives of the people. This is huge progress. We promised the people that if we are in charge or we are leading, their needs will be a priority to us; this is exactly what we are doing currently,” said Acting Mayor Mncedisi Maphisa.

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