Councillor Edwin Baptie’s Ward 10 November report back

Ward 10 areas covered: Park Rynie south, Kelso and Pennington

Umdoni council: Councillor Thabani Dube has resigned as the mayor the municipality’s deputy mayor has since taken on the role of Mayor. The re-election of a mayor is likely to take place at the council meeting on the 25th November 2020. The ANC majority in council (23/37) gives them the numbers to determine the outcome. The functioning of the council continues to be hampered by the Speaker’s disregard for the standing rules.

Councillor Bonginkosi Mngadi has been relieved of his position as chief whip of the ANC caucus. His position in council however is unaffected. These superficial changes have not brought us any closer to the forensic investigation that is needed to end corruption. Councillors who protected and facilitated the looting are still in office.

Umdoni administration: The municipal manager (MM) has been booked off for two months on sick leave and the general manager of corporate services has been appointed to act in the post. The MM’s absence arises from the internal conflict within her party. The employment contract of the Chief Financial Officer ended without a new incumbent being appointed.

The council majority opted to appoint an internal person to act as CFO. This implies that the management must continue to operate with two less senior managers. We have been through this scenario before and it did not work. The better option was to appoint 2 external professionals on a temporary basis, with assistance from the department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA).

ALSO READ: Speculation surrounds high-profile Umdoni Municipality resignations

Budgets and services: The Umdoni council adopted a poorly compiled budget for 2020/21. It deliberately neglects ratepaying areas and assigns most expenditure to non-ratepaying rural wards for political rather than social and economic reasons. It also translates into high levels of expenditure on consultants, outside service providers and contractors. This is the standard way in which government entities capture public funds for personal financial gain at the expense of service delivery.

The leadership and senior management attempted to adopt an adjustment budget that contained serious financial irregularities and went so far as to falsify the voting results in order to authorise the looting. I reported these matters to Treasury, the MEC and the AG’s office. The misdirection of our revenues has not translated to any reasonable standards of service delivery. Towns that represent the economic fabric of the municipality have become shabby and neglected.

The council and its structures are not able to exact the levels of accountability and productivity needed to render decent services. If we want change we must attend the IMBIZO at the Scottburgh Town Hall on November 30 at 5pm and make our needs known.

I will play my part by submitting representations for inclusion in the IDP and budgets of next year and I will continue to lobby for budget changes in this year. Residents must play their part by participating in the processes of government.

Roads and stormwater services: The constant motivations for attention to our transport infrastructure has yielded a result. The past weeks have seen some road repairs in Pennington and Park Rynie. In the overall picture it is a small proportion, but it still appreciated. We have reached a stage of neglect where decline is accelerating, as more drains collapse, more debris accumulates in watercourses, and more road surfaces break up.

The scale and nature of the remedial work demands a multi-year project on infrastructure maintenance. These two services remain the greatest priority in the ward. We will have to engage in another round of self-help to get us through this festive period. At the same time we must use the processes available to us to demand our piece of the revenue pie.

ALSO READ: Umdoni Municipality suspends municipal manager

Farm Abrams informal settlement: The recent protest action on the R102 was unwelcomed but inevitable when viewed against the dishonesty evident in Umdoni’s dealings with the electrical supply and housing on Farm Abrams. The resident community are susceptible to political influence and easily misled by individuals who use them for rental and alcohol related income. I have engaged Umdoni officials with a proposal to resolve the electrical supply and housing requirements.

I remain hopeful that it will work despite the delays arising from political interference. The provision of formal and dignified housing at Farm Abrams is an issue that requires our combined attention. We know that opportunist politicians will use social instability to drive their agendas regardless of the damage it inflicts, and we should not be oblivious to the plight of poor residents even if their conduct at times seems undeserving.

The only way we can change this reality is to become part of the solution by continuing to help where we can and supporting the call for government to provide the much-needed formal infrastructure. The children, young parents and older folk in the settlement need guidance and support. It is possible that we can resolve the challenges even without the help of uncaring government officials and politicians.

I must place on record my appreciation to the organisations; Gathering Together, His Church, Coastlands Revival and Agape church for their unfailing efforts to build hope and value in the lives of a those members of our community who desire positive change. Their work in the settlement is inspiring.

Streetlights: Contractors are due to start repairing lights before the end of this month. The ward committee representatives have identified all non-working lights and will guide the contractor on the priorities. It is proposed by the ward committee that residents who have the means, should install street facing lights on their boundaries to improve our general security. Every little bit helps. Lights and cables can be purchased from Hattons Hardware at a 10% discount to assist with this project.

Verges and public open spaces: Contractors have been appointed for Park Rynie and Pennington. Cutting has commenced and will continue in the days to come. There is an increase in random dumping by unscrupulous individuals. If you observe such activity please take down particulars of the persons and vehicles, and get photos if possible, without engaging in any form of conflict. Send the information to me and I will follow up with protection services to see that action is taken against the culprits.

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Beaches: Tidal pools will be desilted before the festive season starts. Ablutions will remain open from 6am to 6pm. The shark nets are reinstalled at Scottburgh beach and lifesavers will be on duty through the season from 8am to 5pm. Three additional refuse bins have been placed at Preston beach and two more will be placed at Rocky Bay. Parking is charged at Preston and Rocky Bay beaches. Umdoni’s management did not budget for reservists to assist SAPS with crowd control this year. Representations have been made to motivate some budget changes to provide this resource.

Fibre cables (FTTH): I have engaged with the contractor, LINTEG, to implement improved supervision and rehabilitation to driveways and verges. They responded positively and are in the process of implementation. If your verge or driveway requires attention, please send me the details so that I can add it to their schedule.

Water and electricity: Aged infrastructure, theft, illegal connections, bad budgeting and under resourcing, have played havoc with these essential services. Ugu and Eskom have customer service systems in place which we are obliged to use. I am always available on my mobile phone to follow up when fault reporting is not successful or responses are not forthcoming. I appreciate the frustrations faced by residents, they affect me too. The best we can do is to give the service providers the required details asap via the dedicated systems available. I appeal to residents to refrain from name calling or finger pointing on social media. It does not add value to our lives.

Closing: A final word of gratitude to R&M Construction for their ever-willing efforts to assist with internal road repairs, and litter control along the R102. They are an example to all of us on how we should be approaching our service delivery issues, whilst making our demands to the local authority for what they ought to be delivering to us. By uniting in our efforts to improve our circumstances we will all benefit.

Councillor Edwin Baptie – Ward 10 

• Umdoni Municipality was approached for comment but had not responded at the time of writing.

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