A media briefing hosted by the executive mayor of Lesedi Local Municipality (LLM), Lerato Maloka, has shed some positive light on a number of critical service delivery issues. The meeting took place on October 5 at the mayor’s parlour, where she was duly represented by members of the mayoral committee and acting municipal manager Gugu Thimane.
The purpose of the meeting was to communicate the municipality’s accomplishments in addressing major service delivery backlogs that have been continuously raised by the media and local residents.
“Customers have raised their dissatisfaction on a number of service delivery matters which include municipal road infrastructure, street lights, refuse removal (illegal dumping) and the municipal fleet. The key component of our vision places the emphasis on the fact that we remain people centered and a performance driven municipality and we want to live up to it all,” Maloka said.
She added that LLM is becoming financially viable, which has been made possible by the ratepayers and appreciated by the municipality. In regards to the municipal road infrastructure, Maloka said the municipality has built major road infrastructure over the years, covering the previously disadvantaged areas of Ratanda, Impumelelo and KwaZenzele.
“The growth of our road networks has put tremendous pressure on the municipal fiscals, especially on the maintenance budget.”
In addressing potholes and resealing of the road surgace, Maloka said the municipality has put into place measures to address some of the problems and that R5 million was budgeted for the resealing and refurbishment of highly compromised road surfaces, such as the crossing at Hoër Volkskool (corner of Jacobs and Louw Street. She confirmed that the municipality will annually budget for the resealing of roads to ensure they are brought to a desirable level.
The municipality recently also embarked on a campaign to improve the town’s image by revamping road markings and refurbishing street structures. Maloka further assured residents that the water fountain at Heidelberg Town Hall will soon be restored to its former glory and said the municipality is working around the clock to improve refuse removal services across town (including the informal settlements).
“However, I need to appeal to all residents to keep the town clean. Illegal dumping is becoming prevalent and the municipality will not be able to win the battle without the involvement and assistance of its residents,” she said.
One of the major problems in delivering proper services to its residents, appears to be the municipal fleet (service delivery vehicles) that are old and need to be replaced. Fleet is a significant enabler towards providing good and proper services and according to Maloka the municipality has procured four vehicles that will be used to attend to all electrical problems in the area.
Residents are urged to direct all service delivery complaints to the Customer Care Services Centre by phoning 016 330 0400 during office hours and 016 341 3427/3116 after hours.
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