Is the municipality doing enough for the community?

Q: Mr Mayor, we as commuters and citizens of Newcastle are concerned the municipality is not doing enough to help with the ongoing issues at the rank in regards to the taxi violence and what is happening there. We are putting our lives in danger each time we go there and it feels like our crys are not taken seriously enough. What are you doing from your side to help us the citizens?

A: We are continuously in talks with the provincial department of transport and taxi associations. While we do not issue routes to taxis and therefore not involved directly, the ranks are our responsibility and the protection of our citizens is of utmost importance. In the next week we will be meeting with taxi associations to appeal to them that we are trying to build a model city here and this behaviour cannot, and will not, be tolerated.

Q: Mayor. Sir. I am sure your honourable worship that you have by now noticed the increase of collisions on our roads. This directly correlates to the fact that there is an increase of incompetence on our roads and drivers if you can call them that, are getting more and more blatant about flouting the rules.

Unfortualtely I think the traffic cops can only be at so many places at a time. But shouldn’t there be visible traffic cops every day? For instance on the busy roads like Hardwick and Victoria in the mornings and afternoons? Also, there has been a definite increase ion the number of trucks using suburban streets as shortcuts. What can be done about this? Is there any way the traffic department can help? Leading up to the holidays were going to see many deaths on our roads if no-one intervenes.

A: The traffic department is doing all it can to curb the flouting of traffic laws. We have discussed in Exco the possibility of fixed cameras to prosecute these drivers.

Q: Nnmayor. Good day to you fellow cde, i reside in siyahlalala and we the community thank u for the constant good work you are doing to help us here in the settlement, we have nothing but praise for u and ur team. Please tell us wat additional work u will be doing? S Nkosi

A: I am humbled. We will be creating a suburb there, with tar roads, electricity and tapped water. The housing project should start soon. I thank u and the community for your patience and trust in my administration.