Councillors bunk Imbizo
Councillors were not present to listen to the concerns of the residents.
The community of Mandeni were unhappy that so few councillors attended the mayoral imbizo last Wednesday, October 14.
The imbizo was held at KwaSithebe where residents expressed their anger that 24 of the 34 councillors were absent and had not even sent apologies.
Hundreds of community members shouted in support of resident Mafa Khanyile who questioned Mandeni municipality speaker Makhosi Zungu as to why their councillors were not present.
“We would like to know where they are? This is an important meeting and our councillors are not here,” said Khanyile.
Zungu said that invitations had been sent to all councillors and none of them had replied that they were not attending the meeting.
“I do not have an answer to this question, because they all knew about the meeting,” said Zungu.
The mayoral imbizo is an event allowing the community to receive feedback on current and upcoming service delivery projects. The community then gets a chance to raise concerns with the municipal leadership.
At the imbizo, Mandeni mayor Siphesihle Zulu reported that since 2011, the municipality has built 4663 houses and there are still about 400 houses to be built in wards five,10 and 12.
Five hundred houses were also built in the Masomonce area.
“We suggested that those who could, should relocate to where they can benefit from the Inyoni housing project,” said Zulu.
The municipality had to source additional funding of R8 million to install electrical connections in 898 households. Zulu said that next month a R2 million rural roads upgrade project will start and is expected to end next year June.
“We have upgraded and rehabilitated over 33km of internal roads in developed areas which include Sundumbili, Mandeni and New Ark Drive,” said Zulu.
Issues like unemployment and water services were also discussed.
