Tweni ‘ditched’ by Ray Nkonyeni Municipality

Due to Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) reportedly dragging its feet, the Umtentweni Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association, under pressure from residents, is now considering taking stern action.

Residents feel they have been ‘illegally dumped’ by the municipality, and are at their wits’ end with the sharp increase in urban decay.

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A tour around Umtentweni last week revealed a sorry sight – uncut verges, broken electrical boxes, potholes, and the New Bolton Transfer Station in a horrendous mess, with only two skips on the premises.

Association chairman, Derrick Morris explained that due to a sharp spike in illegal dumping and the lack of basic services in terms of cut and clean-up operations, on April 9 last year the association had submitted a petition to RNM mayor, Nomusa Mqwebu.

The document asked for action, and for the mayor to attend a meeting to explain to ratepayers what the municipality planned to do in order to remedy this lack of basic services.

On July 3, ratepayers presented the facts to RNM municipal manager, Max Mbili. Mr Mbili asked for, and was granted, a one-month grace period in which to prepare an action plan.

Mr Mbili and Cllr Mqwebu, together with heads of department, presented this plan for its ‘flagship’ Umtentweni, to the association on August 1.

Item 6.2 of this strategy referred to ‘Municipal Service Week’- which, according to the Association, lasted – as advertised – just one week.

Ratepayers and councillors made it very clear to RNM officials that the benchmark for the success of the strategy would be the increase in the number and the regular upliftment of skips at the New Bolton Transfer Station.

Cllr Mqwebu and Mr Mbili assured residents that New Bolton would be a priority and that the skips would be emptied twice a week – on Mondays and Fridays.

“This has not happened. We are now down to two operational skips, and New Bolton Transfer Station has been closed on certain days. The last upliftment was on January 5,” said Mr Morris.

An inspection on Saturday, February 9 revealed that the skips had not been emptied for weeks, and a large amount of medical waste had been dumped.

Cllr Mqwebu had previously publicly declared war on illegal dumping, however in Tweni, this continues unabated, even directly beneath the ‘no dumping’ signs.

Part of the action plan was to involve security companies to assist RNM in policing the non-adherence to bylaws, and residents now want an update on the cases that have been handed over to Law Enforcement.

A stream of correspondence sent to the municipality’s heads of department regarding clean-up or cut back requirements, street lighting, broken and open electricity boxes (reported eight months ago), and which lead to house robberies, had reportedly gone unanswered.

Hours worked at the Umtentweni depot now appeared to be from 9.15am to 2.15pm, with extended tea and lunch breaks, said Mr Morris.

He added that plot clearing is non-existent, and poor workmanship and lack of security on the beach are ongoing problems.

“Residents and ratepayers, as well as RNM, took an oath to work together as a team but unfortunately we have been dropped by the municipality and we are now calling for an explanation from the mayor and Mr Mbili,” said Mr Morris.

Councillor Leon Gabade said he called on Mr Mbili on behalf of residents to respond to their plight, as they were ‘tired of begging’.

However, Mr Morris did compliment Law Enforcement on the great job done over the festive season. 

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