Use appropriate channels to report service delivery complaints’, north residents advised

Residents in the north of Pretoria are encouraged to submit service delivery complaints through the customer care centre.

The plea comes after residents in Sinoville raised concerns about the overgrown grass at several local parks, such as the popular Trimpark.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said service delivery complaints sent to the metro through appropriate channels could be handled more efficiently.

“This allows the metro to address these complaints systematically.

“The city has a total of 135 parks and public spaces in Region 2, which are divided into developed, semi-developed, and undeveloped areas. All these areas are maintained using internal capacity, with employees from the City of Tshwane responsible for the upkeep,” said Mashigo.

He said the city’s maintenance strategy sets specific expectations for the frequency of grass-cutting and park maintenance.

“The approved norms and standards dictate that developed parks should be maintained with one grass cut per month.”

Semi-developed parks are scheduled for one cut every two months, while undeveloped parks receive three to four cuts annually.

“These guidelines ensure that parks and public spaces are kept in a state that is safe and usable for the community.”

Mashigo emphasised that maintenance plans are developed every month and shared with ward councillors.

“At the end of each month, a maintenance schedule report is drafted, outlining the work that has been completed, and this information is shared with councillors to keep them updated.”

The metro also said members of the public play a crucial role in identifying issues and reporting them to the appropriate channels.

By doing so, they help the municipality prioritise resources and direct maintenance teams to the areas in need.

Although the metro’s capacity is stretched, it remains committed to addressing these issues as efficiently as possible.

Recently, residents of Sinoville have been raising concerns about the overgrown grass in local parks.

Speaking to Rekord, Ward 50 councillor Lenise Breytenbach brought these complaints to the fore by calling on the metro to take immediate action.

With the grass posing both safety and aesthetic challenges, residents fear for their well-being and the state of public spaces meant for recreation and relaxation.

Breytenbach specifically highlighted the safety issues caused by the unkempt parks and sidewalks.

Overgrown grass can obstruct visibility for pedestrians and motorists alike, creating potential hazards according to the ward councillor.

There are also concerns about children playing in these areas, as the long grass makes it difficult for parents to monitor their activities effectively.

Trimpark, a vital green space in Sinoville, has been at the centre of these complaints.

The councillor has voiced frustration over the lack of consistent maintenance and the impact on the overall well-being of the community.

Despite raising the issue on multiple occasions, the community has yet to see a timely response from the metro, leading Breytenbach to publicly demand action.

In light of Breytenbach’s calls for action, the metro has responded with a comprehensive service delivery plan for this month, which includes Ward 50 in which Sinoville is located.

The metro acknowledged the internal capacity limitations to comply with the approved norms and standards, but assured residents that all complaints are captured in the municipal system and responded to based on the availability of resources.

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