OPINION: ‘Public indecency, drinking problematic at beach parking lot’
The consumption of liquor and underage drinking are done openly.
DEAR Editor;
I have made an urgent plea to the mayor and municipal manager of the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM), to intervene on several critical issues that threaten the tourism trade in Port Edward.
First is the open consumption of liquor and underage drinking in the parking lot at the beach.
Add to this the shameful drunken conduct of teenage girls who are allegedly paid by older men to indulge in acts of public sex.
Last Saturday, a restaurant was forced to close its doors to shield patrons from the uncomfortable sight of this scourge.
Second is the state of the public toilets that remain out of order and closed after numerous promises that they will be opened in time for the season.
Third is the implementation of the seasonal plans aimed at giving visitors an experience they will return to in years to come.
Residents are now concerned that commitments made for the seasonal plan won’t be fulfilled.
The mayor is the political head of the municipality and the municipal manager is the administrative head.
Both enjoy enormous salaries and generous benefits that the ordinary folk of Port Edward can only dream of.
Their life of luxury is paid for by those same citizens.
The least they can do is mobilise the officials in law enforcement and other services, to assist residents who rely on tourism to make a living.
If they care about the people they serve and the future of those young girls, they will make an effort to address the problems.
STEPHANIE BREEDT
Ward 1 Councillor
RESPONSE: Municipality is committed to adherence to by-laws
The municipality notes the concerns raised and these will be referred to relevant departments. The municipality is committed to ensuring adherence to all municipal by-laws and all other laws that relate to the public conduct.
It is unfortunate that the councillor who is also part of the leadership of the municipality decided to go to the media but worse of all refers to what the mayor and municipal manager earns.
As the ward councillor under which Port Edward falls, she could have directed the matter to the relevant HODs and to the municipal manager, also she could have tabled a motion to the relevant portfolio committee for resolutions on the matter and monitor their implementation. One also wishes to indicate that seasonal plans were presented to council and their implementation will be evaluated after the season
SIMON APRIL
RNM Spokesperson
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