That’s to the chagrin of local residents, who formed the Isipingo Concerned Community organisation two years ago to petition the municipality regarding poor service delivery. The Sun took a tour of the area on Monday, 11 November with Ajay Hanoomaun of the organisation and witnessed just how badly the CBD and surrounding areas have deteriorated.
“Isipingo will become the next Clairwood if we do not get eThekwini Municipality to get its act together,” said Ajay. “Some areas are given attention where it is not warranted and the less elite areas suffer with the lack of basic needs.
We have engaged in correspondence with various departments of the municipality. However, we have still not received answers and our complaints have gone unheeded. Other areas of Durban have dedicated persons from all departments to carry out task and duties, however Isipingo and surrounding areas do not.
In Inwabi Road, which is a main thoroughfare through Isipingo, there is no pavements for pedestrians to walk on, yet it is the busiest street in the area. There are also collapsed manholes all along the street and elsewhere in the area.
We, the ratepayers, suffer the loss in fruitless expenditure in unwarranted areas,” said Ajay. “A good example is Warner Beach where trees were planted in parking bays and then removed at our cost. This was due to bad planning and poor execution of tasks. Every time departments are questioned, there are a string of excuses. We have the right to correct and proper answers and yet we receive no feedback. We suffer the damages caused to our community and the environment, while senior personnel sit back and the town deteriorates daily.
Some of the queries sent to the municipality include why they (residents) must ask for:
• Pavements to walk on, yet an area where there is no or little foot traffic gets them?
• Roads to be re-surfaced and potholes to be filled?
• Kerbs and manhole covers to be replaced?
• Recreational facilities to be maintained and cared for?
• Road-markings and traffic signs to be replaced?
• Illegal informal traders on pavements to be fined and removed?
• Road workings to be properly repaired after it has been dug up by municipal workers?
• Metro Police to do their jobs in responding to complaints?
• Building control to inspect illegal buildings or construction work?
• Illegal businesses within residential areas to be shut down?
“It all points to no control over a department – no monitoring, no reporting, no inspections, no feedback, no interest, no concern and no passion for their work,” said Ajay. “If we, the residents, have to do the reporting of that which concerns us, than what is the function of the municipal employees who are answerable to us the tax and ratepayers?”
The Sun sent enquiries to eThekwini Municipality and Metro Police, but at the time of going to print, no response was forthcoming.
