Will Umdoni Municipality break its silence?
The Mail has courteously reminded the municipality of outstanding comment, which will hopefully arrive before the end of the year.
COMMENT from Umdoni Municipality on several pressing topics remains outstanding as the year draws to a close.
The Mail reported on several serious matters this year. To date comment has been received on only one matter, that of a six-year-old child who fell through a broken railing at the beachfront, suffering serious injuries.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: Father of girl who fell through broken railings in Scottburgh takes legal advice
The municipality has however failed to comment on the tragic death of a child who drowned at the Scottburgh main beach pool after being sucked into an uncovered outflow pipe, and on the supposed ‘firing’ of the previous municipal manager Xolani Luthuli, whose position is now temporarily filled by acting municipal manager Lindiwe Shange.
Mr Luthuli is believed to have been involved in the mismanagement of millions of Cogta (Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs) approved funds for the Small Town Rehabilitation Programme.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: Umdoni Municipal Manager suspended pending forensic investigation
A sore point over the last two years has been the lack of security measures at the Scottburgh Cemetery.
The cemetery’s memorial wall has been vandalised and looted on several occasions, leaving family members fuming as the final resting place of their loved ones had been destroyed.
Investigations led to the discovery that whoonga users had looted the ashes of the dead, supposedly to be added to the drug mixture and smoked.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: #DoseOfDeath: Scottburgh drug users are smoking dead people’s ashes
Umdoni’s own town planner, Raymond Ntombela, also made headlines earlier this year after allegedly beating up his ex-girlfriend and robbing her of her vehicle keys.
A string of court cases followed and eventually in June, the charges against Mr Ntombela were withdrawn by the complainant.
Allegations of the mismanagement of the Humberdale Waste Site also raised a stink this year when the Department of Environmental Affairs had to step in to ensure that the job was done properly after the site had exceeded its capacity on several occasions.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: Concern as Humberdale waste site fast approaches critical mass
The DEA even threatened to have the Mr Luthuli fined R10-million or sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Now the Umdoni ratepayers are threatening to withhold rates if their demands for adequate road repairs are not met.
The Mail took to the streets last week to investigate and it would seem as though ratepayers’ concerns regarding road conditions are valid.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: Umdoni’s ‘tyred’ residents threaten to withhold rates
The Mail has courteously reminded the municipality of outstanding comment, which will hopefully arrive before the end of the year.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on BBM 58F3D7A7 or WhatsApp 082 421 6033
