I am writing this letter as a concerned resident of Port Shepstone to highlight the persistent issues plaguing our municipality. These matters are not only causing frustration among ratepayers but are also affecting the quality of life, particularly for the elderly and vulnerable members of our community.
1. Power outages and infrastructure quality
The Sunday, December 15 storm caused a transformer to blow up, leaving many areas, including ours, without power. This is not an isolated incident. Is the quality of the products used for such infrastructure up to standard, or is this another case of subpar materials being procured through questionable tender processes? It is disheartening to think that funds intended for community development might be misused, leaving residents to bear the consequences of inadequate services.
2. Refuse management crisis
The state of waste collection in Port Shepstone has reached alarming levels, especially during this holiday season. The stench and mess are unacceptable, creating a health hazard and an eyesore for residents and visitors alike. Efficient waste management should be a priority, especially during peak periods.
3. Incomplete repairs in Marburg
New pipes were installed in Marburg approximately five months ago. However, the municipal workers left behind a mess, including heaps of sand that have rendered our parking space unusable for months. This lack of accountability and urgency in completing the job is unacceptable. We request immediate action to clean and restore the area.
4. Faulty electricity meter and estimated billing
Our electricity meter stopped working, and despite reporting the issue, it has not been replaced. We are now being billed based on estimated readings that are significantly higher than our actual consumption. This raises questions about transparency and fairness in the billing process. Is this an attempt to recover financial losses within Eskom? Such practices erode trust between residents and the municipality.
Proposed solutions:
1. Conduct an audit of all tenders and contracts to ensure accountability and the use of quality materials.
2. Implement an effective waste collection strategy, particularly during peak seasons.
3. Assign a team to resolve the incomplete repairs in Marburg immediately.
4. Expedite the replacement of faulty electricity meters and review billing practices for accuracy.
The frustrations of ratepayers have reached a breaking point. We contribute to the municipality through our rates and taxes, yet the services provided fall far short of acceptable standards. If these issues persist, the community may be forced to consider withholding rates payments until substantial improvements are made.
We urge you to take these concerns seriously and act promptly to resolve these pressing issues. We await your response and a detailed plan of action.
VERNON GOVENDER
Port Shepstone
RESPONSE:
1. Power outages and infrastructure quality
There are several reasons that cause power outages, and these range from cable theft and vandalism to illegal connections, which then result in an overwhelmed system. The one to which reference is made, which was because of a storm, is due to natural incidents. What I can confirm is that all the material and/or equipment that is used on substations, mini stations, and the whole system are SABS approved.
2. Refuse management crisis
The municipality has been consistent and timeously collecting refuse unless there are unforeseen circumstances, like breakdown of compactors; however, in such instances, a mechanism is done to address the backlog. The recent challenge has been because of labour unrest, and the management is trying to address the matter.
3. Incomplete repairs in Marburg
Reference is made to newly installed pipes; however, there are no specifics on their purpose, as it may happen that the work was done by Ugu. So, it is difficult for one to comment on that.
4. Faulty electricity meter and estimated billing
The responsible department has indicated that they are attending to all complaints relating to faulty meters. In terms of billing, if the user has a problem with the billing, he or she is free to visit our billing section so that the matter can be attended to. Users should also understand that they are free to take their own meter readings so that they can make comparisons with our billing system. However, such complaints are attended to on merits and individually so.
I wish to conclude by indicating that the proposals submitted are welcomed and will be considered and, where possible, incorporated into our operations. The municipality prioritises community needs, including the ratepayers, and is always appreciative of criticism so that we can always improve where we are lacking. I also wish to state that due diligence is done in the best possible manner on the awarding of tenders. It is also important to state that the municipality regularly meets with ratepayers’ associations to listen to their concerns and engage on the way forward to addressing any concerns raised.
SIMON APRIL
Senior Manager: Mayoralty and Communications
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality
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