Dear Ugu mayor,
Maybe if I wrote to you through the media you will find the time to listen to the people of the South Coast.
We all are aware of the state of Ugu and the service we are receiving from you. Yes, I say you because you, mayor, represent Ugu.
May I just remind you that some of us cannot afford to buy water privately anymore.
Allow me to tell you what we as residents of the South Coast are going through for years now.
Water for years now on and off.
When it is on we cannot use it most of the time because it is so dirty.
Ugu Call Centre cannot think of more answers for us, that forces them to give different answers all the time.
Your area managers do not even bother to read our requests on WhatsApp.
Maybe they do not care or maybe they do not have correct answers. Then it is much better to ignore us.
You yourself don’t even bother to assist us.
How many times have you read my messages and just ignored them?
Keep in mind that your Call Centre was not working.
Mayor, please understand that we, as paying residents of the Ugu area, need you to start helping us.
We are paying our bills, we are paying your salaries and it is getting very very annoying not getting service.
Thank you.
ISABELLE BESTER
Ward 16
RESPONSE
The sentiments expressed by the reader are well received by the municipality and perhaps one needs to place certain aspects of the expressed sentiments into context.
The mayor unreservedly empathises with the reader and communities enduring the unfortunate hardship and frustrations resulting from water supply disruptions in certain areas in the district.
It must borne in mind that the current situation of water supply disruptions in the district has been exacerbated by the recent floods which caused huge damage to water infrastructure.
Following the aftermath of the floods, Mayor Phumlile Mthiyane came out in public and outlined the extent of damage caused to water infrastructure in the district and also gave details to the rebuilding plans to restore water supply to the affected areas.
We are aware that as much as water supply has been restored in most areas there are areas that we are still working on to repair and recover supply, and our fragile water system poses an undue delay to process.
The municipality has not folded its arms under these difficulties but remained steadfast towards ensuring that relief supply of water to the affected areas is being prioritised.
I am certain that the reader is one of those recipients of our water relief supply programme which has been extended throughout the district during this period.
As you might be aware, the mayor is currently engaged in conversations with different communities as part of the IDP budget roadshows where she is consulting communities on the planned budget for the next financial year while, also providing a comprehensive report on the progress made on the rebuilding process of water infrastructure following the torrential rains.
Probably, the reader may find time to participate in these public engagements with the mayor where her ill-conceived concerns could be adequately addressed.
FRANCE ZAMA
Ugu spokesperson
HAVE YOUR SAY
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