Ward 36 Clr Wendy Morgan spoke to GCN about her role, responsibilities and areas of responsibility in her ward.
GCN will, in weeks to come, introduce readers to the ward councillors serving the residents of Germiston.
Last month qA Morgan’s fourth year of service after she was elected as ward councillor in August 2016.
Ward 36 includes Meadowbrook, Wilbart, Solheim, Fishers Hill, Sunnyridge up to Kernick Street, Howe Circle and First Street/Medlar Street, Symhurst, Primrose Extension Two above Pretoria Road, including Oak Avenue up to Peach Street, Dawnview, Primrose Central from Cactus Road above Pretoria Road, Primrose Hill, Simmerfield, Dania Park and Creston Hill, Wychwood, Malvern East, Driehoek, Germiston North, Jupiter, Rand Airport and Airport Park, Gosforth Park, Elandshaven and Castleview.
“I represent residents in decision making, developing and reviewing council policy, scrutinising decisions taken by the councillors on the executive or cabinet on regulatory, quasi-judicial and statutory duties. I am also responsible for community leadership and engagement.
“In today’s climate of bad service delivery and communication, I spend the majority of the day following up on service delivery issues, trying to get communication on resolving power outages, water leaks, sewage overflows and finance queries.”
Morgan said should residents experience municipal-related problems they must first report the problem to the City of Ekurhuleni Call Centre or use the My COE app.
“Residents have to create a reference number and if there has been no response or restoration of the issue they can contact me.”
The ongoing concerns for Morgan include individual power outages, water and sewage leaks and overflows.
“They are a daily occurrence. I am also fighting the degradation of the Primrose Cemetery, where there has been total destruction of the buildings and all the records that were burnt in a fire.”
Morgan added illegal electrical connections and illegal building of multi-rooms without plans and infrastructure, overloading of the electricity circuits due to overcrowding on properties are also on her list of duties.
“Building inspectors issue contravention notices for illegal building properties and then the matter is handed over to the Legal and Corporate Department where nothing seems to be done.
“Ongoing power outages with no feedback is a big challenge as we are continously asked by residents for updates and we cannot give any feedback. Due to Covid-19 the finance department is in a mess.”
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She added meter readings have not been captured and residents are receiving a flat 1 000kwh interim reading.
“These amounts are huge and residents do not have the extra money to pay to avoid disconnection. Some days it feels like all I am doing is trying to get matters resolved.”
The councillor shared advice to residents experiencing ongoing issues with electricity cuts and theft.
“When residents have reported the issue they can escalate it to me, privately or on the update WhatsApp groups, so that I can inform the energy team. This does not always guarantee that an answer will be received but at least that way I am aware and can try to get feedback. If residents suspect possible theft or illegal electricity connections they should inform me so that we can try get them disconnected.”
Morgan said her goal for her ward is to create an environment the community can be proud of.
“My hope is to get a stable electricity supply and keep a clean area without illegal dumping, due to multi-dwelling houses and flats not having wheelie bins.”
She said residents can also add their voice in demanding better services by reporting issues and standing together as a community to make Germiston a better place to live in.
“If community meetings are called to address issues, the community should attend the meetings to direct questions to officials who are paid to do the work.”
The councillor shared highlights of her tenure in her ward.
“Even though we still have a lot of power outages, there have been infrastructure upgrades, new and bigger electrical cables were installed. A new substation was installed, which has definitely stopped regular Monday morning power outages.
“Traffic lights were installed at the corner of AG De Witt Drive and Main Road in Solheim which improved traffic flow and the pedestrian traffic light and crossing on Main Reef Road outside Hawk Academy improved the safety of the learners,” said Morgan.
She said several roads were resurfaced in the ward after numerous request, the latest being Pretoria Road, Scorpia Road and Walkers Avenue, with other roads having bad sections resurfaced.
“A new park and gym equipment on Collins Street and Meadowbrook parks were also installed.”
Morgan reminds residents that she is there for her community.
“I appreciate the support I have from the majority of the residents. I try to be available to my community whenever needed, and try to respond as quickly as possible.”
She added her goal is to visit every business in the ward to introduce herself and let them know how to get assistance.
“This is not a goal I have been able to achieve. If there are businesses that would like to be added to the business update groups, they can send me their details and I will add them.”
Residents can call Morgan on 072 963 9675 or email Wendy.Morgan@ekurhuleni.gov.za
“If residents are not on the Ward 36 community update groups, they can send me their name and address and I can add them to the update group of their area,” said the councillor.
The service call centre number is 0860 543 000 or download the My COE app via Google Play Store.
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