Campbell calls for greater communication between CoE and councillors
“Councillors must be accountable to residents in their wards and therefore it is crucial that they are provided with the platform to engage with officials.”
Chairperson of the DA Alderman Tania Campbell has described the lack of communication and engagement from Ekurhuleni municipal officials with ward councillors and oversight committee members as an infringement of their constitutional rights.
Campbell said it was brought to her attention that communication by the parks department of the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) officials would no longer engage with councillors without prior permission.
“This follows previous correspondence whereby the City Planning Oversight Committee was denied the opportunity to engage with City Planning officials,” said Campbell.
“Subsequently, the directive was since implemented to all departments.” In the hopes of addressing the matter, a petition was made to MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Hon Lebogang Maile.
She said the petition was drawn up in terms of the Gauteng Petitions Act 5 of 2002 on service delivery. According to Campbell, the petition was sent to MEC Maile after the matter was raised with the speaker of CoE council and the executive mayor of Ekurhuleni and no corrective measures were taken.
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Campbell said because of the lack of communication, councillors are unable to carry out their duties and mandated roles assigned to them by the CoE.
While the lack of communication continues residents remain frustrated. Since the national lockdown started in March, the NEWS was inundated with phone calls from community members regarding the lack of feedback and service delivery.
Grass grew tall in parks, roads remained lined with potholes and pavements became mazes of weeds. To assist the community, an informative article was published in the February 17 edition of the NEWS on page three reminding community members how to report service delivery complaints.
Although the NEWS’ senior journalist Stephan Lehman had seen some work been done by community members and municipal workers and contractors, problems continue to exist.
“Councillors must be accountable to residents in their wards and therefore they must be provided with the platform to engage with officials,” said Campbell.
She said Covid-19 has drastically affected service delivery and it is important that councillors can engage clearly with their communities.
A request for comment was sent to the CoE communications department and the office of the executive mayor at 11.30am on February 18, requesting comment by February 19 at noon 2021.
This is a developing story and comment from the City of Ekurhuleni will be added once received.
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