eMBALENHLE – Locals are still forced to go to Secunda to pay for their services, 10 months after the eMbalenhle municipal offices were officially opened.
Since the opening in February, these offices have not been operational.
These offices were burned down in a violent service delivery protest in 2018.
The municipality rebuilt and furnished them in 2019 and the project was completed in January.
During the official opening, Ms Thandi Ngxonono, former executive mayor, said the offices would have been operational within weeks.
However, to date, the offices are still closed.
A reliable source revealed to Ridge Times that there is still a lot that has to be fixed in those offices.
It is alleged that water pipes are leaking, toilets doors are already broken and that till points for cashiers have not been properly installed.
According to the information received, the municipality is now forcing municipal workers to repair the incomplete job left by the contractor.
Residents said it is concerning that the offices are still not in use.
Ms Anita Mkhwebane, DA councillor, said this proves the incompetence of the municipality.
“I do not understand why did the former mayor officially opened these offices if they were not ready.
“People are still expected to pay for their services in Secunda which does not happen often because they complain about not having taxi fare.
“This must be fixed because sometimes residents get to Secunda and they are told the system is offline.
“Another thing is that the yard is not taken care of, its dirty this is just a mess.”
Mr Nhlakanipho Zuma, executive mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality, said they are aware of the challenges faced by the community of eMbalenhle and they promise that offices will be operational next year.
They are now trying to fix their system.
“We are having a problem with the company that is supposed to link our system which will enable us to see any money that is paid in. We will talk to the community about these challenges,” he said.
