DEAR Editor,-
The KZN South Coast Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (KZNSCRRA) wishes to express its dismay at the ongoing, and apparently worsening, dysfunctionality of Ugu District Municipality.
For many of the citizens of the entire area, the frequent unavailability of piped, potable water has been seriously disruptive, posing both health and economic risks.
ALSO READ : Urgent call to help Harding
The reputational damage this has done, in terms of the attractiveness of the area to tourists, visitors and potential investors, is very serious.
This has the knock-on effect of damaging businesses, not only those that supply accommodation, but also all those which service these establishments.
Most serious of all is the negative effect on job creation, which is the country’s priority.
The association has not sat idly on the side-lines in a purely critical role; some years ago it formed a Water Action Team, consisting of eight professional engineers which made itself available to advise Ugu on any aspect of water collection, purification, reticulation and disposal at no cost to the municipality.
Very little use was made of this team, to the extent that most of its members declared it to be a waste of time and withdrew.
Recently we have learned that Ugu workers have embarked on an illegal strike, and worse still, have committed acts of vandalism, further compromising the delivery of potable water.
Not knowing the circumstances that gave rise to the strike, we are unable to comment other than to urge the municipality to expedite negotiations, but never to compromise on principles – the president has decreed that consequence management must be applied
We also ask that if community members see acts of vandalism in progress, or suspicious activities around reservoirs, to take photographs if possible, to call the police immediately, but not to approach the perpetrators as this may be dangerous.
OLLIVER RANSOME
Chairman
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
To receive our FREE email newsletter, click HERE
