Amanzimtoti’s Wessex Drive gets prioritised

Ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge has condoned an attack on a municipal worker at the Topham Road ablutions on Wednesday morning, 25 September. He said two residents were taking photos of a municipal worker changing, which led to a confrontation. The two residents viciously assaulted the worker, who had to be transported to Isipingo Hospital for his injuries.

“The public needs to be aware that there is a fine line between reporting a problem and infringing on a person’s privacy. The two residents were arrested and are now sitting in the holding cells at Amanzimtoti police station.”

Also on Wednesday morning, Beetge took area-based management and Prasa officials on site visits to Amanzimtoti, Warner Beach and Winklespruit train stations, which have become a concern.

On Thursday, 20 September he took the South regional water engineer on a site meeting of the Wessex Drive project in an effort to get it prioritised. “The water has been drained from under the road, which came from a broken pipe from the water meter. The area is being contained and the infrastructure will be repaired. We have prioritised it as emergency and it will go out on tender. The road is cracked and has been closed to traffic, and we appeal for patience from residents and motorists.”

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Of major concern is the theft of a cast iron sewage line removed in the bush area along Isundu Drive last week, which resulted in outfall to lower areas and into the river. “This is the third six-metre section stolen in nine days. It is a never-ending story as infrastructure continues to be vandalised to detriment of both the budget and environment,” said Beetge.

Other sections were stolen from the Lewis Drive and N2 intersection, and Fynn Road. “Thanks to the resident who took it upon himself to follow the trail and alerted us. It is being repaired. From discussions with the wastewater area manager, this is becoming a common occurrence, resulting in a lot of outfall.”

Beetge also addressed residents’ concerns over litter at Amanzimtoti Civic Centre last week. It was due to the hall being let out for an annual Zulu dancing competition. “On day one, there was only a small amount of litter, which was quickly addressed and resolved. There were no further problems. But on Wednesday last week, 2 000 people descended on the civic centre and the function ended too late for the area to be cleaned.

“It was brought to my attention at 7am on Thursday. By 8.45am the area had been cleared and I checked at 7pm that night that it had also been cleared and there 40 bags awaiting collection from Thursday’s function. We have raised concern with the department of education and department of arts and culture and have escalated it up to the level of the deputy manager of the parks department that it will not be repeated next year. I agree that more education is needed, especially among the rural learners and I share residents’ concerns.”

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