The Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) unveiled a fleet of 22 brand-new service delivery vehicles on Thursday, 5 September.
Waste removal and electricity services will benefit most and have been prioritised,
Shelley-Anne de Beer, the fleet manager in the RWCLM, said the whole contract is valued at R500 million, and added that the provision was based on the affordability of the municipality.
“We are expecting another 14 vehicles on the priority list in October,” she said.
She added that the maintenance of the fleet will cost the municipality R3 million a month and that depending on the finances of the municipality, more vehicles may be procured in future.
Executive Mayor, councillor Brenda Mahuma, who said the provision of the resources is part of the municipality’s commitment to secure service delivery, said its lack is non-negotiable, and added that the resources will help workers not only to do their jobs, but to do them effectively.
“We are on a journey, and our train is motion, therefore it is not going to be business as usual. If there is a need for me to intervene, I will do so without any fear, because I want things done,” Mayor Mahuma said. She added that those who are found to be incompetent will also be dealt with.
The Mayor said as much as people are not happy with service delivery, it can only be provided if residents meet the municipality halfway by paying their rates and taxes.
“They pay, we purchase, we maintain or we run the institution – other than that, there is nothing else we can do.”
The Mayor said she wished that vehicles for sewerage had been provided, as this area presents another service delivery issue; however, she said they will be included in the second batch that will be delivered later.
Commenting on the recent strike, the Mayor said providing resources such as these still requires workers to do their part in service delivery.
“These vehicles alone won’t help us, because we still need our employees on board. Whatever issues might still exist, we are saying we are prepared to resolve them, but most importantly, we need them for the sake of the Rand West people,” the Mayor said.
