CIVIC Activist organisation, Save Our Berea has called on the City’s Integrity and Investigation Unit to investigate issues that have made media headlines in recent weeks.
In a media statement this week, co founders Cheryl Johnson and Kevin Dunkley said they were perturbed by the number of issues which had surfaced in the media and which pointed to a serious lack of management or plain ineptitude within the city.
The issues the group wants investigated include the controversy surrounded the City’s Head of Healthy, Dr Gxagxisa. “It is alleged she compromised ratepayers after she got embroiled in an internal ego spat which involved four clinics that subsequently closed their doors. All four clinics served the poorer sections of the community,” they said.
Another concern raised by the group is the action by certain people in council who appear to be stalling an investigation by the Public Protector into tender issues in eThekwini. “This may well be outside their area of jurisdiction given that the Public Protector has indicated she might go to court on the issue. Who will for the city’s legal defence?” they asked.
Also of concern is the revelation that the city blundered while resurfacing the athletic track to be used in the All Africa Championships that Durban will host. “It is alleged that the tender was awarded to a company who either did no have the necessary expertise or did not do the job properly.”
“As an activist group, we believe that it is no use just highlighting these issues and then moving on leaving them to be forgotten. The people responsible need to be held accountable. The management committee of this city, the City Manager and other municipal officials seem to continually show a total lack of concern at the reckless and negligent decisions that are made. We are appalled at the number of such cases. The City Integrity and Investigation Unit, on the face of it, also seems unconcerned and as far as we know does not seem to investigate these matters on their own volition. If they do, then why are we, the public, not informed and told how that are combatting corruption and negligence. Surely they are answerable to the public?”
“Save Our Berea believes there should be more transparency. Recently, Adv Aboobaker requested an investigation into who was responsible for the 317 Currie Road debacle. An investigation was carried out and although we are in possession of correspondence where the unit promised to send the report to Adv Aboobaker, they then changed their mind because there is still an appeal case to be heard. It is the right of the people to know all the facts.”
