Ratepayers in eThekwini expect better municipal services [LETTER]
It's been more than a year since the floods, and most of the city's infrastructure has deteriorated.
EDITOR – I write this letter after listening to many complaints from residents in the Amanzimtoti area, many of whom are supporters, members and followers of the Conservatives in Action – South Africa group.
Exactly a year ago, Durban was subjected to incessant rain which resulted in flooding in many parts of the city.
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Consequentially, the pride of Durban, its infrastructure, most notably, its roads, bridges, beaches, underground pipes, sewage pump stations and water reservoirs, were badly affected by the floods.
Residents and ratepayers rely quite rightly on the government, to whom they pay rates and taxes, to deal with what was described as a natural disaster and implement remedial actions, by providing emergency relief through:
– repairing the damaged infrastructure.
– ensuring health and safety interventions are implemented as top priority to the ratepayers of the city.
– by ensuring clean and potable water is made available to all residents.
– by ensuring sewage infrastructure is repaired to prevent waterborne diseases.
– and last but not least, to ensure the aged, children and the disadvantaged of our society are protected.
Sadly, one year later, while eThekwini Municipality has, at a pace that can only be described as poor, managed to intervene, the after-effects of the floods are still visible and still affect, in this instance, residents of Toti.
Sewage continues to be deliberately pumped into the sea. Rivers and beaches continue to have high levels of E. coli with what can only be described as unacceptably high sewage smells across many parts of Toti.
The treatment meted out to ratepayers and residents is not only irresponsible, disrespectful and unacceptable but cannot be condoned. The elected councillors need to be more vocal at the council level. Irrespective of what their defenses are, this matter stares residents in the face, every day.
The only avenue residents have of raising their concerns is through their elected public representatives. The simple answer is, not enough is being done. No excuses – ratepayers expect better, decent services.
As much as the work of public representatives is a thankless job, they need to do more.
SH KENNEDY
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