Community meeting addresses community’s frustrations
Ward 36 councillor Wendy Morgan and MP Michele Clarke also presented on major issues.
On February 27 Ward 39 Clr Alta de Beer hosted a virtual meeting to give residents feedback on the work going on behind the scenes and how far they have come with service delivery issues that are frustrating for the residents of Germiston.
Ward 36 Clr Wendy Morgan and MP Michele Clarke also presented the following major issues: power outages, street lights, grass-cutting, potholes, tree-cutting and maintenance, and the billing system.
Clarke gave feedback on the energy crisis in Germiston and how she has and will be escalating related issues to the provincial and national government. Clarke said she submitted two petitions to parliament and one was debated.
The MP encouraged residents to participate in petitions. “Petitions do work because they are the voice of the community. Things are moving from a national level.”
Morgan spoke about the effects of lockdown and regulations on energy repairs. “Energy teams were split into three, one day team, one night team a standby team. This created a backlog increase resulting in extraordinary overtime claims, resulting in strike action and work stoppages.
“Disciplinarians are in progress. The situation is stable and agreements are in place with staff. This also placed a strain on resources to keep up with the backlog,” said Morgan.
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Morgan added she felt the meeting was positive. The community was given information as to what the real state of council is and had a better understanding of how council functions. She added the community was grateful for the meeting as they received information.
“They learnt how matters are being escalated to the provincial and national government to get the feedback that we are not receiving at a local level. It is important to attend public meetings as this is the only way residents get information as to what is happening in the community. “Most residents think it is only their area that is been affected, but it is the whole of Ekurhuleni that is been affected by the same issues.”
De Beer encouraged residents to have a reference number for the escalation process. She said the City of Ekurhuleni was not invited to the meeting.
“However, they will be invited to the next meeting,” she said.
To get the minutes of the community meeting contact de beer on 082 777 1406 or at alta.debeer@ekurhuleni.gov.za
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za , and Lebogang Sekgwama lebogangs@caxton.co.za.
