EDITOR – The leadership of the eThekwini Municipality has once again failed to respond to the communities of the greater Berea area.
On Saturday, those who participated in a march organised by the Umbilo CPF were left waiting on the steps of the City Hall after Mayor James Nxumalo failed to be on hand to receive a memorandum despite being timeously informed beforehand. The memorandum, which calls on the city to properly deal with the whoonga crisis in this area, was eventually received by a SAPS officer as Nxumalo did not bother to allocate another leader to receive it in his absence.
Earlier on in the year, City Manager Sbu Sithole failed to pitch at a Save Our Berea meeting despite confirming his attendance. Hundreds of Berea ratepayers were unable to raise their concerns.
The controversial approval of the re-zoning at 10 Poynton Place, which went ahead despite considerable objections from surrounding residents, is further evidence that the city feels it fit to ignore the voices and concerns of Berea residents.
The communities of the Berea, Umbilo, Glenwood, Musgrave and Sydenham areas are facing serious issues in the form of drugs, crime, illegal buildings, prostitution and urban decay. It is unacceptable that city leaders feel as though they do not have to account to residents who form a considerable part of our dwindling rates base.
The DA calls on Nxumalo and Sithole to account to these communities and urgently assist with the issues that they face.
Nicole Graham
DA Councillor Ward 33
