THE Mayoral Parlor in conjunction with the mayor's Operation Sukhume Sakhe recently organised a series of meetings with officials from various departments such as Parks, DSW, eThekwini Transport Authority, and eThekwini Fire Services, to discuss issues affecting various wards in eThekwini.
Councillor Ernest Smith put together a presentation regarding his ward which addressed far ranging issues. These included the need for speed calming measures in various roads such as Trematon Drive, Goodwin Drive, Lillian Ngoyi (Windemere) Road and Currie Road, the need for increased visible Metro Policing to deal with the excessive amount of vagrants, prostitution, illegal “lodges”, contractor issues in term of business forums, Mitchell Park Zoo. He also raised the derelict state of municipal housing estates such as Westgate and Kirkwood Gardens.
Smith requested that departments visit various sites such the Mitchell Park Zoo, where oversight was conducted by Smith, officials from the Municipality including the Fire Department and Parks Department.
“Parks officials have stepped up to the plate at Mitchell Park with work being done and the constant monitoring from the public. Other officials were sent to investigate the state of Westgate and Kirkwood Gardens who, not surprisingly, came back with less than positive feedback considering the state of the buildings as a whole,” said Smith.
Following these inspections a public meeting was called where the community was invited to engage with officials and Smith regarding issues they considered important.
“A fair number of residents attended to voice their concerns around service delivery in the area, although a number of residents could not attend because the meeting was scheduled for the morning. I had requested the public meeting be set later in the day to accommodate the 60 to 70 per cent of residents who were working, however the department refused my request. I have requested that in future meetings are held later,” he said.
Smith said he would plan more frequent community meetings where officials could address residents. Following lockdown, keep an eye on the Councillor Ernest Smith and Ward 27- eThekwini Facebook pages for details.
Contact Councillor Smith on ward27@ethekwini.org or 079 214 0020.
