Ratepayers fork out for ‘deadbeat’ workers
Municipal workers' sluggish, lay-about attitude is affecting Margate.
NOWADAYS, municipal staff employed to clean Margate beachfront appear to be in no rush to work.
And the deadbeat attitude of Hibiscus Coast Municipality’s staff, including the weekend contractors, is evidently rubbing off on the town of Margate, as the beachfront looks scruffy and tatty with very little gardening, maintenance or cleaning being carried out.
When the Herald received numerous reports about workers lazing around on Margate beachfront, a reporter went to investigate.
On arrival an employee was seen sitting behind the public pool, busy on her cellphone, while another employee was seen taking a slow stroll along the lagoon, admiring the scenery.
The Herald has also received reports of staff sitting for hours around the municipal pool, sometimes with their shoes off.
It’s also a daily habit for employees to do very little from teatime onwards, and they are often seen getting dressed and leaving work just after 1.30pm.
Friday is a notorious day for workers to put their feet up and do very little.
Ratepayers say HCM workers are left to their own devices, with no supervision from management.
They also agree that this is a blatant abuse of ratepayers’ money.
Simon Soboyisa, HCM spokesman, said the Department of Corporate Services is currently embarking on roadshows within different departments of the municipality on the code of conduct for municipal officials.
“The aim of these roadshows is to ensure that each and every employee is aware of what is expected of him or her, and what to and not to do,” he said.
He said that this is aimed at encouraging maximum productivity from the employees, and that supervisors and managers, will have to account for any ill-discipline by their staff members.
