This is according to Dean Stone, councillor of ward 75, who says all heads of departments were present along with the mayor, to highlight serious issues in Springs.
“When we were touring Springs, the mayor pointed out issues which need to be resolved and he was promised by certain departments that some of the issues would be sorted out immediately,” he says.
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Stone took the Addie to a few of these sites on March 8, almost two weeks after the Siyaqhuba team visited Springs and pointed out issues that have not yet been attended to.
“While these issues were discussed, the heads of departments made promises in front of the mayor to resolve them and they didn’t comply.”
About nine or 10 holes at the Springs Indoor Centre still need to be fixed. These were among the issues identified during the Siyaqhuba tour, but Stone points out that they have not been touched.
“There is a church service here every Sunday where children run around outside and should one of them fall into these holes, they could be seriously injured.
“This is a place for families and the community as a whole. It’s important that these should be attended to, but again, no one bothered.”
Another issue pointed out by Stone is the temporary fix that was placed around a street light on the corner of Fourth Avenue and First Street, Springs CBD, which had cables sticking out of it.
“Although I am glad that it was covered, the temporary rubber sheet tied around the pole is not a solution and there is still a bit of wire sticking out,” he says.
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On the corner of First Street and Second Avenue Stone points out grass growing in the road that he says the mayor was not happy with, and was allegedly promised would be taken care of immediately.
“The grass is still green and has not been removed,” he says.
Stone also points out it was said that the Springs Hotel would be closed down immediately.
“The hotel was closed that morning, but a few hours later was open again.
“I went past the hotel on March 7 and it was open.”
When the hotel was visited on March 8, though, it was closed again.
“All I want to know is why the departments are not taking this as seriously as the mayor is. They have no respect for the programme or keeping Springs clean.”
“Some departments are willing to comply, while other officials are not serious. It’s just another roadshow.”
The Ekurhuleni Metro was given more than a week to respond accordingly and despite numerous attempts for a timely response, none was received at the time of publishing.
