EDITOR – With regards to the recent Imbizo report back by the mayor.
There are many untruths and inaccuracies in this report back by the mayor.
First of all, several of the storm water projects for this town have been standing since 2011 because of the municipality’s inability to execute tender processes timeously and correctly.
The quality of the contractors to whom these tenders were awarded is so poor that some of them fail before even signing any agreements after being awarded tenders.
The Fountain Road Bridge Storm Water Drain widening and the Central Avenue Bridge project are just two of the stalled projects.
In the interim, the risk for the proprietors of businesses there increases by the day and the rainy season will amplify it.
This has been in the budget since 2011.
The panel beating business at the bridge in Central Ave is underpinned by sand bags provided by council over three years ago.
All work in river beds and or bridges has to be done in the winter.
Winter is finished and now work has been commenced with.
The Terrace Road matter, where several people have died in accidents, has been standing since 2010 when it first appeared in the budget.
This still has not been resolved despite a personal site visit by the MMC for Roads and Transport Thumbu Mashlangu over a year ago.
The refurbishment and upgrade of the Edenvale Clinic, which ran out of capacity three years ago, has now appeared in the budget and has been deferred for the second time again.
The venue is cramped, understaffed and all facilities are not always available.
Consider one dentist where on average 20 or more people a day require dental treatment.
They have to rely on a locum from a practice in Germiston to assist, if and when the dentist does not arrive at work for whatever reason.
This in effect can mean that the dental section may only open after 10 in the day.
Myself and the health portfolio representative of the ward committee have joined a committee in conjunction with the clinic staff and a head office representative to monitor developments and services.
The mayor did not mention that the municipality has been interdicted by the court as a result of legal action by two contractors who challenged the award of road repair contracts.
Do not be fooled for one minute by council trying to invoke the sub-judice rule as the matter is, or was, going to be taken on appeal.
It has been in the public domain for a while already.
The metro cannot appoint contractors for example in the area covered by Wards 18, 19, 92 and several other areas.
Edenvale hardly has any road markings left and to give lack of road marking paint as an excuse is as absurd as claiming that the metro maintains a depot on the moon.
The insignificant amounts that the metro allocates to the Edenvale services results in the budgets being depleted two to three months after the opening of the financial year.
Consider R67 000 for the year allocated for tree maintenance and trimming.
The poor quality paint purchased at a premium for road markings contributes to the problem as markings last for only four to five months.
The municipality claims that it is precluded by statute from purchasing paint that contains lead. Several paint dealers and manufacturers rubbish the excuse as good quality paints without lead are available.
The tens of dozens of missing manhole and inspection point covers that have been stolen have not been replaced.
This is a danger to the residents of and visitors to Edenvale.
A glowing example of this are the two round concrete covers fitted to two square inspection points at Horwood’s Farm.
Then there is no mention of the metro’s inability to prepare for the renewal and or new tender processes to cater for contracts coming to an end.
The recent fuel shortage at depots is a good example and so are the taxi ranks and the air conditioning problem at the library.
Then of course the prize issue is the refurbishment of the Edenvale Council Chambers, which ranks on par with that of parliament in terms of protocol being a local government venue.
This is still not complete after almost two years.
The residents who participated in a well-attended public meeting recently were quick to notice that there was no aircon, the screen did not work, the sound system did not work and several chairs were lying around broken.
The Horwood’s Farm Homestead, a registered heritage site, has systematically over the past five years been vandalised and destroyed by vagrants and delinquents.
Nothing has been done about it despite all the efforts of the councillors and Friends of Horwood’s Farm.
The fact that this matter is in the local, national and international domain does not bother the metro.
There are many more issues that counters the mayor’s claim of service delivery to the residents of Edenvale.
I say with certainty that in some instances it amounts to blatantly lying or his speech writer does not know the facts. Failures and problems are being camouflaged as challenges.
BILL RUNDLE
EDENVALE
EDITOR’S COMMENT – Spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), MR Themba Gadebe commented as follows:
With regards to the Edenvale Clinic; the clinic is old and was built before 1970.
Attempts were made in the previous financial year to identify a suitable site for a new clinic but no alternative site could be identified to build a new clinic.
Given the unavailability of a suitable site, the EMM is in the process of conducting a feasibility study to convert the existing clinic into a more functional facility to be in line with modern primary health care requirements.
Consultants were appointed in August to conduct the study.
The norms in human resources for primary health care facilities are one nurse to 35 patients per day.
The current average ratio ranges from one nurse to 22 patients to one nurse for 30 patients which is within the required norm.
In addition there are two clinic clerks and two general workers on the staff establishment.
There are also two contract cleaners.
A process is underway to acquire the services of an intern to assist with clerical duties.
A number of interns were place at various other clinics during September, according to the area in which they live, but there were no successful interns identified for the Edenvale Clinic.
Interns are strictly placed according to the area they line as they only receive a stipend.
Negotiations are however ongoing with the EMM’s Economic Development Department to acquire an intern for the clinic.
The concern about the availability of one dentist to serve as average of 20 or more people was noted and has been referred to the Gauteng Department of Health as this is a provincial competency.
Dental personnel are under the employ of the Gauteng Department of Health.
