Joburg councillors demand better service delivery at Regional Forum
Intensify service delivery efforts on all wards.
The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) Region F convened the Regional Councillors Forum meeting at the Brixton Multipurpose Centre on November 18.
These quarterly meetings serve as critical platforms for councillors to discuss and receive updates on service delivery issues.
Ward 65 Clr Nkosikhona Khanyile and CRUM Region F regional director Irene Mafune chaired the session, which featured presentations from various entities.
Joburg Water shared updates on the water supply, focusing on reservoirs like the South Hills Reservoir.
City Power covered load reduction, street lighting, and revenue collection.
City Parks outlined its horticultural programme plans for the festive season.
Pikitup presented its festive season waste management strategy.
The Inner City Special Projects Office discussed progress on the Mayoral Implementation Programme through the Bad Building Strategy, and the JMPD provided updates on law enforcement initiatives.
However, councillors expressed dissatisfaction with some reports, emphasising their need for detailed operational plans outlining completed and ongoing work in each ward.
They demanded actionable strategies for replacing ageing infrastructure, such as water pipes, sewer lines, and cables. They also called for a ward-dedicated team to address persistent water leaks, a significant contributor to water supply challenges in the region.
Councillors voiced frustrations about being the primary reporters of service delivery issues, questioning the absence of urban inspectors in the wards.
Complaints included slow response times, delays in obtaining reference numbers, ineffective handling of illegal connections, vandalised infrastructure increasing homelessness, increasing of illegal structures, illegal spaza shops, illegal backyard buildings and inadequate action on vandalism of streetlights, which leaves many streets in darkness.
Regional director Irene Mafune said the weekly Response Service Delivery initiative, combined with law enforcement and public education programmes addresses issues in most wards. She reaffirmed the commitment to intensify service delivery efforts.
“Collaborative efforts and enhanced coordination among departments and entities are crucial to tackling the numerous challenges in the inner-city and improving residents’ quality of life,” added Mafune.
