eMZINONI – No refunds have yet been made to families that were affected by high cemetery tariffs.
The Govan Mbeki Municipality promised the House of Traditional Leaders of Ndzundza and Manala that they would refund all those affected.
This came after traditional leaders protested in July last year and submitted a memorandum of grievances about the high increase in cemetery tariffs, poor service delivery and the cemeteries that are not cleaned.
In response to the memorandum, Council had a meeting with the traditional leaders in August during which a promise of refunding was made.
Mr MZC Khayiyana, MMC for Finance, agreed that there was an error in the rates and apologised to the traditional leaders and said there was no proper consultation on the matter.
He further explained that the municipality has increased the tariffs with six per cent, not by more than 100 per cent.
Mr Khayiyana promised the traditional leaders that the affected residents were going to be refunded, but that has never materialised.
Mr Simon Sikhosana, spokesman for the traditional leaders, said they are not impressed with the empty promises made by the council.
“We went to our people after the meeting with the municipality to report that they were going to be refunded.
“Who are the liars?
“The municipality must take us serious and refund those families.
“As we said in the memorandum, they do not take us serious.”
Mr Bheki Kubheka, head of Marketing and Communication, said letters were issued to the affected community members.
“The municipality is committed to refund those affected.
“In the letter we requested the affected families to come to the Secunda offices with a certified copy of their identity documents, proof of residence and one month’s bank statement.”
For further information, residents must contact Mr Esther Mpondo at 017 620 6474 or Ms Popo Masilela at 017 620 6452.
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