Filthy park issues raise bigger problems

Madam – Cllr De Jager of Ward 4 has written to the director of parks in Newcastle Mr V. Govender today to inform him of the smutty and filthy conditions where a resident complained of little children returning home from playing in the Lower Hutten Heights Park, with used condoms.

I am sure the sobbing resident is not alone in her disgust.

This kind of filth is not unique to this park. I’ve once seen the despicable sight in one of the newly built parks as well.

This also speaks of a bigger problem and I am wondering if our town will ever receive another award for being the cleanest in KZN.

Driving around at night sometimes, shows how our town’s cleaning staff now seem unmotivated to give of themselves just a little bit more. We have seen strike-action by them a few times already. Several staff complainants have already spoken to me and allege that they are not getting paid what is due to them.

Further alleging that those in charge of Human Resource Management at the municipality, as one put it: “are clueless”. What this means, if the allegations are true, is that workers are not getting paid according to the municipality’s grading level. Isn’t this wrong?

I will ask Cllr De Jager’s caucus to pursue this matter through the various committees as well as official questions and motions to council to address not just this squalid matter but that of the workers too.

We are hopeful that in the interim, the director of parks undertakes to at least respond to her call to attend to this park.

Whether there will be a response remains a matter to monitor.

No one wants to live with such filth all around especially where children play.

Dr Imran Keeka, MPP

Response from Mayor, Afzul Rehman:

The open play parks have always been a problem, that’s why we have come up with the new park at Crawford and upgraded three parks already in the suburbs. We have currently budgeted for another three parks for Barry Hertzog Park, Aviary Hill and Hutten Heights. All these new parks have new equipment and will be fenced. It is saddening to know that people will leave this kind of filth in areas which are reserved for our children.

The honourable MPL however crosses a line when speaking about staff salaries. As he will know, the municipality does not negotiate staff salaries at our level. This is done at the national bargaining council level. The issue of the grading has been checked by both SALGA and CoGTA. I doubt, Mr Keeka, that inciting staff to do even less, will actually take our city forward.