Councillor answers municipal queries

More queries surrounding municipal happenings have been raised.  Councillor André Beetge discusses various issues from cows to vaccinations.

“If there are two things the municipality is good at, it’s finding excuses why something cannot be done and not doing something when they are supposed to do it the first time around. It’s like legislation, policies and by-laws are mere guidelines that can be either applied or discarded, all depending on who applies, interprets or for that matter, who is politically connected to whom – extremely frustrating to say the least,” he said.

E-hail taxis Despite the e-hail taxi industry becoming an everyday reality that necessitates a solution regarding parking or ranking in wait of fare, eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) merely shrug its shoulders, in turn rather indicating that the industry is not yet recognised and that enforcement is the solution.  Despite several recommendations in turn supported by Metro police and the normal taxi industry to the point where we are now taking the matter to deputy city manager level.

Livestock

With continued urbanisation and densification of the surrounding areas, the problem with livestock wandering urban streets and even onto the N2 has now reached the point where the city just cannot continue to ignore the matter as being part of a certain grouping culture. We are currently working with a Metro police task team on the establishment of a municipal pound in an effort to address this dangerous situation. Parks and civic centre A recent site inspection of the civic centre node, (illegal) e-hail parking along Civic Road, the Old CBD, promenade and Rogies Park has again left us totally appalled and questioning what exactly it was that officials, who work one week on and one week off yet receive a full months remuneration (at a cost to the ratepayer) actually do when and if they report for duty.  Worst of all, these municipal employees were found sent out for the day without any equipment which in turn, has one question the supervision that allows for this to happen?

Street lights

Previously reported, about 25 to 30 % of the city’s street lights are not currently working and it appears unlikely that the backlog will be successfully addressed in the near future. We are in communication with the department in an effort to secure commitment towards regional task teams to at least start addressing outages along main arterial routes as previously promised.

Beach sand

Typical of the season, winds are again pushing beach sand in a specific direction in turn causing accumulated build-up on roads, pathways grassed areas and recreation facilities along beaches Beach management has for this purpose made arrangements to use the cemetery department TLB to clear sand over weekends.

Vaccination and Lions

The Amanzimtoti Lions coffee station at the Civic Centre has become a welcome sight for those queuing to get vaccinated from Monday to Thursday between 08:00 and 15:00. Coffee is available at R10 per cup although supplied free to those over the age of 60.

Department of social development Several enquiries were received after some food was delivered to 12 wards at Amanzimtoti Civic Centre on Friday, August 20.  The food destined to needy households were, likewise to all other donations received by the councillor, channelled into the KZN council of churches network where it was repacked, more food added, and distributed to households within the ward identified through the church network. ALSO

READ: Councillor provides insight on municipal issues

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