This is an open letter to the executive mayor of Ekurhuleni, councillor Mzwandile Masina, councillors Tiisetso Nketle (water sanitation and energy) and Tiaan Kotze (Ward 37 councillor).
It is with great concern for the businesses and their staff in the Alberton North and surrounding areas that I pen this letter with the hope of support and assistance to regain the full efficiency of the services required in our area.
We are continually plagued by power outages that affect the daily running of our businesses. Although our very efficient and dedicated ward councillor Tiaan Kotze does his utmost to achieve the required results, we feel that he is hamstrung by a failing infrastructure that has not been maintained or upgraded as it should have been.
This is not only affecting the daily production of goods to ensure a turnover that allows for payment to the many staff that have been gainfully employed by these businesses but also affects the machinery and equipment that is utilised in this daily production in these facilities.
These damages caused are never accounted for by the departments responsible and the business owners are left to foot the bill for the required repairs to our equipment.
This furthermore adds to the already strained and unsupported security in the area where crime has become a rampant issue that affects us all.
It also allows for complete darkness, which only assists the already belligerent criminals in their activities and further losses to us.
As I am sure, you are well aware of the time that we have had to suffer the unwanted and unwarranted consequences of the Covid-19 lockdown that was implemented, we are now further plagued by a lack of basic services that we pay for as abiding tax paying citizens and business owners.
This has put a further strain on our businesses and could result in further job losses adding to the already huge unemployment figures that we face.
Many of our businesses did apply for the relief funds in the various forms and options and have still not received any offer of relief from these funding points. We have therefore chosen to put our shoulders to the grindstone and do all that is possible to save the businesses in question and as many of the jobs that go with them.
To be further ailed by the lack of required services is unacceptable and is viewed by many as a full-blown attempt to destroy what is our livelihoods.
We request that you furnish us with a dramatic turnaround plan on the service issues and show us a plan for the future of our business service delivery requirements.
These services are paid for and are not provided as an option in our districts and wards but rather as a paid for the requirement.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information regarding this matter.
Chris Daw, acting chairman: Alberton North Business Owners Forum
The letter was forwarded to the City of Ekurhuleni for comment on June 3.
