The final council meeting for 2014 was held last Wednesday, December 10. Ward and PR Councillors as well as municipality management and members of the public converged at the council chamber at 10am for the start of the meeting. It kicked off with a rendition of the national anthem followed by a statement from the Speaker Cesar Nunes.
Mr Nunes reminded councillors that December 10 marked the last day of 16 Days of Activism Against Woman and Child Abuse and said that he hoped councillors played their part to spread the message. He also remarked that the final council meeting took place just days after the country acknowledged the one year passing of former President Nelson Mandela. The Speaker handed over to Mayor Bongani Dlamini to share a few words.
Mr Dlamini began by saying that 2014 has been a year with a lot of ‘activity’, which has seen the death of councillors and introduction of new councillors but he said that the municipality remained ‘stable’. He spoke of Mr Mandela’s contribution to a non-racial, non-sexist country and said this should be the example we use in our lives. Mr Dlamini also sent his condolences to Uthukela District Municipality who lost their Deputy Mayor. He also spoke briefly on the 16 Days of Activism and the load shedding being experienced in the country.
Thereafter councillors had the opportunity to speak about their concerns during the verbal motion or notice to council. Councillor Vilakazi was first up and drew council’s attention to the spelling error on the signboard for Nkaseni, saying that it was spelt ‘Nkoseni’. “This would cause tourists to lose direction,” he said. Mr Vilakazi also suggested that municipal management examine the remaining roof sheets on the Weenen Taxi Rank, saying that another disaster like in November had to be averted as the busy festive season was approaching. Ward Three councillor Duncan Magubane gave clarity on the reason for the water cuts experienced. He said that Uthukela District Municipality and contractors were upgrading the George Cross water plant.
Mr Magubane lamented that a lack of communication between stakeholders had caused frustration amongst residents. He added that the district municipality was convening a meeting on Wednesday where a roster giving details of water truck deliveries would be detailed. He said that he expected the report by that Friday. Democratic Alliance Councillor LeRoy Gericke commented on the state of tractors, saying that the municipality has 15 but only four are operational and five are lying in various states of disrepair at the municipal stores. He also spoke of the Hilldene Swimming Pool being closed and asked whether the pool would be opened at all during this swim season.
He called this ‘gross inefficiency’ on the part of the responsible department. Mr Gericke also remarked on the slow manner in which concerns are dealt with, specifically singling out the repair of a leaking pipe at the Forderville ground and speed humps in Victoria Street. Ward Four councillor Ugan Chetty said that a meeting between Umtshezi and Uthukela District municipalities is essential so that residents can get clarity on the water account arrears write-off. He also commented on the cutting of verges, saying that a noticeable difference was not noticed, suggesting that stringent supervision is present. “We must also act quickly when Uthukela has repaired pipes. We must patch these areas quickly. We tend to neglect this and a small hole then becomes a crater,” he said. Mr Chetty’s last point drew management’s attention to the delayed refuse collection in some residential areas and parts of the central business district.
Councillor Dladla was the last person to speak and his initial ‘vote of no confidence’ in the municipality management was amended to ‘dissatisfaction’ after an African National Congress and National Freedom party caucus meeting.
Mr Dladla said that the municipal management showed lack of supervision as staff was seen leaving work early, projects were incomplete, there was no feedback about projects and no follow-ups either.
His comments raised eyebrows amongst those present. All comments were taken note of by the management.
