Parties respond to mayor’s State of City Address
“He instead presented a 10-point plan formulated over three years ago that lacks any relevance in an economy grappling with the effects of Covid-19,” she said.
Kwatsaduza – “Mayor Mzwandile Masina’s speech sounded more like a farewell speech than the state of the metro.
“It was difficult to tell the difference as everything he said indicated just how removed he is from reality.”
These are the words of DA leader in Ekurhuleni Tania Campbell responding to the mayor’s recent State of the City Address.
“He painted an unrealistic picture that hides the grim realities that many Ekurhuleni residents face on a day-to-day basis under the incumbent administration.
“Nor provide any real inspiration or plan to tackle the major problems facing the metro.
“He instead presented a 10-point plan formulated over three years ago that lacks any relevance in an economy grappling with the effects of Covid-19,” she said.
Campbell added that there is a dire state of waste in the metro, unstable power supply leading to economic decline, lack of housing opportunities for residents and the precarious financial state are all major problems the mayor failed to acknowledge.
These problems affect the poor state of service delivery across the metro.
Also read: Ekurhuleni mayor set to deliver State of the City Address
She said one does not have to venture far to witness the rapid decline of infrastructure in the metro.
“Our streets are littered with potholes, our stadiums and libraries are in a decrepit state and our civic buildings continue to deteriorate with increasing neglect by the metro.
“Parks have been without grass-cutting or maintenance services, rendering many of them overgrown and completely unusable to the public.
“The mayor speaks of fanciful ideas, such as a Disneyland and a botanical garden, yet his administration cannot even maintain the parks under the Lungile Mtshali legacy project.
“Associated with the lack of maintenance has been the non-cleaning of stormwater infrastructure, causing blocked drains.
“There is a major surface runoff leading to an increase in floods exacerbated by the heavy rains.
“Emergency services are severely compromised since ambulance services have been provincialised.
“Ambulances are now falling within the ambit of the provincial government, their response time has been hindered, as the control centre is unfamiliar with local Ekurhuleni communities.
“Amid the pandemic, it is inexcusable to have so many vacancies in a time when all resources are critical in the fight against the virus.
“Most clinics are overwhelmed, with staff working under constant pressure to provide patients with the care they need.
“Meanwhile, these patients have to endure long queues for up to four hours to receive treatment.
“Waste piles up in informal settlements and toilets remain uncleaned for weeks on end, contributing to the existing health crisis in our communities, while the mayor continues to govern via Twitter.
“Residents are crying out for a caring and committed administration that can deliver desperately needed services across the board,” she said.
Meanwhile, Clr Jongizizwe Dlabathi, chief whip of the Ekurhuleni ANC, said the ANC caucus welcomed the mayor’s address.
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He said the 2021 State of the City Address gave a comprehensive account of what they agreed on when they took office in 2016.
“The delivery of 42 773 houses and 26 543 serviced stands is unprecedented. It is a clear demonstration of our commitment to deal with the housing backlog.
“We are encouraged that housing allocation is prioritising the 1990’s applicants. We encourage further improvement, including an allocation to backyard and hostel dwellers.
“We have not been embroiled in corruption scandals even when there were some political efforts to do so.
“The commitment to careful financial management, compliance and fighting maladministration has brought about confidence,” he said.
The chief whip added they should continue to do their best to minimise interruptions to the provision of water and electricity, ensure the waste collection is rendered consistently and predictably, that they cut grass and constantly deal with illegal dumping, ensure street and high mast lights that were reported not to have been functioning for some time be serviced and should ensure stormwater drains are maintained to prevent water flowing into houses and causing unbearable damage to people’s assets.
“We are capable, all we need is more determination, more responsiveness and the discipline of implementation,” added Dlabathi.
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