The main topic at the IDP (Integrated Development Programme) meeting recently held in Secunda, was service delivery.
Jan du Plessis, chairman of AfriForum’s branch in Secunda, said some of the topics they want answers for include the dumping sites, street lights not functioning, potholes and maintenance of the roads, the sewage and water systems, emergency services and the cemeteries.
Residents asked many questions and did not get many answers from municipal officials.
Du Plessis asked the municipal officials about the contractor at the dumping site not keeping the agreement and regulations and also about Govan Mbeki Municipality’s professional civil engineer that is supposed to be at the dumping site according to licensing regulations.
He also asked about the dumping site in Kinross that was supposed to be closed down in 2016.
“AfriForum reported more than 500 street lights not working on our App Bot on Telegram,” said Du Plessis.
He said open electrical installations are another problem and had been reported to the municipality numerous times and they have received no reaction from the municipality or call centre.
“It is a safety risk and infringement of the licensing conditions to distribute electricity illegally,” said Du Plessis.
“Apparently there is no professional electrical engineer currently in service at the municipality.”
He mentioned the conditions of the roads and said at least 700 bags of tar will be needed to fix all the potholes and the potholes that AfriForum and residents and businesses have fixed, are beginning to form again because of all the trucks using the roads.
Other issues addressed in the IDP meeting, included the Section 106 report and what steps were taken to address corruption and the unnecessary waste of money in Govan Mbeki Municipality.
“Staff and councillors mentioned in this report are still in the municipality’s service and were even promoted.”
Residents complained about the taxis stopping at the traffic circle at Secunda Mall, disrupting traffic and said the municipality must provide proper taxi stop points for these taxis.
