‘Enough is enough – simply enough!’

Vryheid residents engaged with the council of AbaQulusi Local Municipality on Monday afternoon, when a meeting was held to address the various issues faced by the community at large.
This meeting was initiated after a spontaneous meeting on August 1 with Director of Technical Services Nathi Mbongwa saw over 50 residents attending. On this occasion (August 14), directors of the different divisions, as well as the mayor and municipal manager, were present.

Mayor Mkwanasi addressed all those present in council chambers, as well as those who were waiting outside the municipal building. He began by addressing the issues that were raised at the meeting on August 1, as well as commending the community for their positive engagement in resolving these issues. The mayor said, “I wish we were in a different kind of meeting where I could stand up so that you can understand how much I value this meeting. But we are in chambers, so I have to address you seated. It is important to have this meeting, because our state of service delivery is not up to standard. We should not be tempted to say ‘you are wrong’. If you have exhausted all other avenues and you feel you have not been heard, then we have to find another way to get attention. That is how things get done all over the world when the leaders of those particular areas don’t listen.”

The mayor acknowledged that a few complaints were made to the municipality and they failed to render effective services to the community. “I want to apologise for that.”
The mayor referred to the transformer, where a promise was made for it to be fixed, and he confirmed that service providers were scheduled to attend to the problem on Tuesday this week (August 15).
He said that the main problem is the infrastructure of the town. “If infrastructure is not maintained, it will dilapidate. It is very important that we maintain our infrastructure. Regarding the issue of transformers, we are attending to it. A service provider will work on our substations and transformer.”
He continued by saying this is not the only issue, since cable theft is an ongoing daily problem. “We need to up our game at the municipality to try and provide security to all our key points.” He mentioned that the problem of the Zaailaagte line is the result of ageing infrastructure. “We are also trying to resolve the gaps of electricians responding to issues to improve our turnaround time.” He furthermore referred to sewage spillage in residents’ properties and apologised for these inhumane circumstances because the relevant people did not respond to these complaints.

“The quality of the town’s drinking water should always be up to standard. We have to up our game.” He urged the community to report any problems regarding water quality. He also said that the issue of ageing infrastructure hinders water supply to the town and causes water shortages. “We have to change the whole system of the water supply, since these pipes are still asbestos and that can be close to a billion rand to replace.” According to the mayor, these pipes are also vandalised by community members. He has also instructed his colleagues to create a resolution to solve the call centre issue, to find a way where an electrician can close a ‘job card’ and the agent can confirm with the complainant that the issue has been attended to, and also check the quality of service.

Local resident Eckhart Meyer then took to the floor and presented issues on behalf of the greater community of Vryheid. “This meeting may one day be recalled as one of the most significant meetings in the history of this town. On the other hand, it deeply grieves me and it is with utter disgust, disbelief and anger that I address this municipal office and its official members.” Referring to poor service delivery, he said, “The things that Vryheid ratepayers, citizens, clients and visitors experience on a daily basis is simply mindboggling. There are no proper words to describe the deep, dark reality we have fallen fate to by this municipality, under your leadership.”
He also referred to the ageing infrastructure, as mentioned by the mayor, and said it has to do with planning and planning ahead to change this situation in time. “The office bearers and staff have a responsibility to uphold ethics to the highest standards. We do not come as a political system; we come as concerned ratepayers. One and all together, we want to change this thing and go forward on a totally different route. Enough is enough, simply enough and no more! Your time in office is over!”

He said that municipal officials are employed by the Vryheid community and are accountable to the residents of the town. He also referred to August 1 when the power was off for more than six hours and said that the ratepayers refer to that incident as ‘an act of treason, an act of sabotage and an act of terrorism’. He asked if it could be possible that disgruntled employees could have fiddled with the transformer to cause the power outage. “Blowouts or breakdowns could be minimised by proper maintenance. But that maintenance simply doesn’t happen. Neither response nor apologies were ever given to the community regarding the power outage.” He also referred to the transformer that was supposed to be up and running within 14 days after the first meeting – this has not happened. The question regarding the third transformer was evaded. “Where is the planning? Why are these transformers not fixed? The whole town and the whole surrounding areas are dependent on that transformer – their economics and their livelihoods.”

He also touched on the treacherous roads, non-existing road markings and traffic lights not working in and around Vryheid. “Poor infrastructure, sewer and sanitation, roads and water are the basis of any community and economy, and if these fail, all implodes.”
After a few verbal disruptions from political parties who were offended by certain comments made by Meyer, the meeting bordered on almost three hours. The mayor then suggested that he and the community representatives should convene privately in a follow-up meeting (on August 15) to find a way forward. He said, “I listened to your frustration and there is no other way to say it than the way you did. I am hoping for a better future for all of us. I was hoping that you would say that this poor man is new in office, but saying that is not an excuse. I am looking forward to upping our game. You do not deserve the level of service delivery that is given to you.”

The mayor concluded with the words, “Can we be afforded the opportunity to fix things? Not by saying a lot of words, but with our actions.”

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.