Members of the Local Estate Agent peppered the Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) with questions regarding the deteriorating state of Randfontein.
The members told Larry Steyn, Chief Operating Officer for the RWCLM who was chairing the meeting in the Council chambers on Wednesday, 20 February., that the state of disrepair the town is finding itself in is negatively affecting the property market.
“We are gravely concerned about Eskom. We want to know what the amount owed to Eskom is and what is being done about it because if government resorts to load-shedding, what is the municipality going to do?” asked Frans le Grange.
In response, Steyn confirmed that the municipality owes Eskom money; however, he said he could not give direction as to how the debt will be settled as the question could only be answered collectively.
“I will officially put this question in writing and request the municipal manager’s permission to give you a response,” Steyn said.
Le Grange added that the public wants to know whether ratepayers will be made to pay additional rates and taxes to pay off the debt. He said that estate agents have a responsibility to explain the current economic climate to property buyers and sellers, and that the situation in Randfontein is putting business under immense strain.
“The Robinson and Homelake bridges have been a problem for many years. Now Mr Chair, what is the RWCLM going to do if someone dies as a result of those bridges being in disrepair? It will be the municipality’s responsibility, won’t it?” Le Grange added.
He continued by saying that the public has been pleading with the RWCLM to address the issues, without anything being done for far too long.
Rose Harrison of Roy Harris Estates asked if the municipality would do anything to fix the potholes. She added that some intersections in Randfontein need traffic lights.
“The missing manhole covers are also a big problem, because if someone gets injured as a result of the missing covers, council will be held responsible,” Harrison said.
Other concerns raised during the meeting involved problems with the switchboard and direct communication with the municipality; no response to emails addressed to the RWCLM; insufficient parking at the municipality; slow turnaround time to approve plans; sewage plans and blocked drains; street names; street lights and stop signs.
In closure, Steyn said, “On behalf of the municipal manager, I thank you for your input and concerns raised. I believe that many issues can be addressed quickly to your satisfaction.”
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