More concerns over New Germany administration
After numerous attempts, Cllr Gumede was not available to comment on Cllr Gokools petitions.
RIONA Gokool, DA PR councillor for Wards 19, 21 and 22 , voiced her frustrations regarding the inadequacy, inefficiency and just pure inability of the eThekwini Municipality to deliver services to the residents of New Germany. This follows an article published by the Highway Mail about complaints that the New Germany CPF raised.
“Complaints dating as far back as June have received no response from officials, with officials passing the buck from one department to another,” said Cllr Gokool.
Cllr Gokool has went so far as sending the city manager an e-mail with a list of all the unresolved resident queries, to which there has been no reply. To add insult to injury, the weed eradication contract for the inner and outer west has not been finalised, which is why New Germany and surrounding areas are looking so unkempt.
“With three months left until the end of the year, it seems like there is no end in sight for all of the New Germany service delivery issues, and residents need to start questioning what are they paying rates for,” stated Cllr Gokool.
Ward councillor, Bongani Gumede, had responded to the CPF’s complaints concerning sidewalk construction taking place on Gordon Pirrie Road, which the CPF didn’t feel was necessary as there are other roads in the area which residents say need more attention.
He confirmed that all due processes were followed by the municipality in the decision to upgrade this road in particular.
She said, “If we can afford to host the Commonwealth Games, surely we can afford to clean up illegal dump sites, resurface roads, re-paint road lines, investigate abandoned properties, clean up the streams, cut verges and repair potholes? It seems that in these tough times the municipality is more concerned with extravagant parties then service delivery.
“DA-run municipalities, such as those in the Western Cape, are well-run. Well-run communities do not have to worry about potholes, broken street lights and crumbling infrastructure. People in DA towns and cities have a good quality of life. They have access to excellent and affordable basic services, safe roads and well-maintained public spaces,” said Cllr Gokool.
After numerous attempts, Cllr Gumede was not available to comment on Cllr Gokools petitions.
