Clr Bill Rundle reflects on 2023 as it draws to a close
“Residents are very unhappy and have demanded that the CoE perform.”
As 2023 draws to a close, Ward 19 Clr Alderman Bill Rundle described it as a busy year.
The alderman said that, at times, the disappointment of service delivery concerns not being resolved timeously marked the year.
Rundle said 2023 proved to be demanding because of the lack of quality and effective service delivery responses by the CoE.
Comparing this year with 2022, Rundle said the status quo remained the same.
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“None of the IDP priority projects were implemented,” he said.
“The deterioration of the town infrastructure and public facilities continued unabated.
“Residents are unhappy and have demanded that CoE perform,” noted Rundle.
He said this is evident in the many petitions submitted to CoE by local councillors for road and pothole repairs, by law enforcement, the maintenance of parks and public open spaces, especially grass cutting and overhauling the fleet department.
“All of this resulted in continued demands and pressure on me to find resolutions to the problems.”
Having limited authority and jurisdiction in the city, Rundle said results were often not forthcoming.
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He said decisions taken by city management to reduce interaction between councillors and city officials caused delays in providing feedback and insight to community members.
One of Rundle’s main priorities this year was to see the rehabilitation work continue at Eastleigh Spruit.
Rundle said this would mitigate future and further flooding.
“Damaged bridges and storm water damage incurred during the November 2016 floods were meant to be repaired.
“Reallocation and reprioritisation of funding by the CoE of projects proved to be a spanner in the works, with no progress on the project,” said Rundle.
Similarly, the resurfacing of several roads and upgrading and replacing the stormwater systems throughout Ward 19 were put on hold.
He said this was due to financial constraints in the CoE.
He said some of the challenges the ward faced included the lack of by-law enforcement and the growth of the illegal and uncontrolled activities of the litter pickers and waste recyclers.
Despite few highlights for him this year, Rundle said two stood out.
The first is the repair and resolution of the attenuation chamber in Eastleigh Ridge.
The chamber, near the corner of Da Gama Avenue and Aitken Road, first collapsed in February 2020.
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He said the second is the work of the Ward 19 Committee, which exposed abuse at some of Edenvale’s illegal and unregistered child care centres and creches.
Additionally, ward committee members conducted anti-drug and GBV awareness campaigns.
Speaking about the lessons he learnt this year, Rundle said, “You must speak up and voice your opinions.”
As he prepares for the holidays, Rundle encourages everyone to work together and support community projects.
He encouraged residents to ensure they obtain the services they pay for from the city and regularly report service delivery issues.
“The knock-on effect of things not working affects us all. Only by remaining alert and working together will we be able to recover the services due to us,” said Rundle.
