Councillor addresses open letter to City of Mbombela mayor

The Ward 17 councillor has written an open letter to the mayor of the City of Mbombela (CoM) regarding cleaning its open spaces, parks, and nature reserves.
Cllr Sanley van der Merwe said the CoM’s mayor, Sibongile Makhushe-Mazibuko, must do something about the condition of the municipality.
She claimed that the condition of the City’s open spaces, parks, and nature reserves are worse than ever before. She claimed that the negligence of such areas has led to a significant increase in crime, but it is also an embarrassment on behalf of the city council.

“Steiltes, as a suburb, has seen several aggravated crimes, from armed burglaries in the middle of the day to severe shootings with fatalities. Street lights are malfunctional, open spaces have overgrown grass, and there are illegal student accommodation establishments. All of this contributes to an unsafe environment, Property values are decreasing, yet our residents are faced with bogus valuations between 25% and 80% of property values.

ALSO READ: We Care 4 Nelspruit cleans Mbombela parks

“Our by-law enforcement is so under-resourced that they are unable to assist. The same applies to our land use development unit and relevant departments dealing with necessary inspections. Our community services department struggles to get the absolute basics services done because they don’t have the tools and the resources,” she said.

Van der Merwe added that communities were doing the work of the municipality, and non-governmental organisations were taking up the responsibility, but at no point has Makhushe-Mazibuko put a hand out to even try to thank them or offer assistance.

In response the CoM mayor, Sibongile Makhushe-Mazibuko, said “You don’t sit and not report issues and expect miracles.

ALSO READ: We Care 4 Nelspruit cleans up around Rob Ferreira Hospital

“Things of emails and silence doesn’t help, communities won’t get services and we have always been a phone call and WhatsApp message away. Don’t pack matters up then go to social media. Members of the mayoral committee know their jobs and our employees need to be given a push time and again
“Thanks for the heads up. Work continues to be done. Report, even if it means reporting daily. Nothing is impossible if we work together.”

The CoM spokesperson, Joseph Ngala, said grass cutting and the cleaning of the City’s open spaces are ongoing.

“There is a schedule in place. The private companies cleaning open spaces and parks do so in partnership with the municipality as indicated on their banners,” he said.