‘Failure to pick up refuse at Stratford farm poses a health risk’

Sir
I am concerned about the collection of rubbish at Stratford Farm.
It is surprising that the Umzinyathi District Municipality failed to even supply plastic bags to their Expanded Public Works Programme staff to do the job they are employed for. I found them working the whole day without been given the proper equipment. I mobilised volunteers to collect refuse.
This has been reported to the ANC Councillor serving this area and the ward committee but nothing has been done even though the community had earlier reported that livestock had died as a result of the refuse that has simply been discarded.
In the same meeting, they (the ANC) introduced their EPWP workers to the community and they informed the community that these workers had applied for the cleaning job via their CVs and after being taken in for training. However, Councillor Mbatha of the IFP had already mobilised volunteers to do this.
The project is called “Siyakhuculula” as these EPWP staff will not pick up the napkins. Chairperson of the IFP, Mr Mdletshe, has been involved and reported the initiative to the local authorities and the local Induna, Mr Sithole, who gave the go-ahead for the clean-up without any compensation.
During a clean-up campaign, dead dogs, cats and chickens were also found where the community collects water to wash clothes and where livestock get water to drink. If the municipality fails to provide transport to collect rubbish, we will arrange. It is obvious that ANC has failed to govern.
Councillor SR Mbatha, IFP