With service delivery being a contentious issue, residents rightfully approach their ward councillor for assistance.
However, it is important for residents to know and understand the process to follow when reporting local government matters.
The first thing residents need to remember is that the councillor’s role is that of providing oversight on the administration of council.
This is because council is made up of legislative and administrative arms.
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While the councillor does play a role in developing and approving council policy, it is the duty of the administration to implement and enforce the policy or bylaws where applicable.
As part of the ‘Know your Council’ Campaign, run by the Democratic Alliance, they will be touching on a number of policies for residents to know and understand.
Each ward councillor is elected by a specific geographically-defined ward within the Ekurhuleni Metro.
It is the role of the ward councillor to make sure that concerns related to his or her ward are represented in council.
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To carry this out, the councillor submits questions to council, tables motions and submits petitions on behalf of the community in council.
The Municipal Structures Act, 1998 provides for the establishment of ward committees to assist the ward councillor in understanding the needs and the views of the community.
A ward committee should consist of up to 10 members who serve as volunteers to advise the councillor and may represent a certain sector.
In the Ekurhuleni Metro, ward committee members represent the following sectors: Economic development, Infrastructure, Sports, Heritage, Recreation, Arts and Culture (SHRAC), Disabled and Elderly, Community Safety, Faith-Based Organisations, Environment, Youth, Health, as well as Women and Social Development.
The ward councillor serves as the chairperson of the ward committee and must hold monthly meetings.
Ward councillors are also expected to arrange public meetings throughout the year within the ward and can interact directly with any interest group even if that group is not represented on the ward committee.
With this in mind, “Nigel residents are encouraged to first log all service delivery issues with the call centre or the local Customer Care Centre (CCC).
“They can report issues by phoning the call centre on 0860 543 000, or send an email to call.centre@ekurhuleni.gov.za or send a tweet to @CoE_Call_Centre in order to obtain an EMIS system reference number,” says ward councillor Wollaston Labuschagne.
In Springs, residents can call the Springs Service on 0860 543 000 to report the matter and get a reference number. Alternatively, you can call the Customer Care Centre on 011 999 8300.
If you are not happy with the service you have received, you can contact the customer relation manager Ace Phiri on 011 999 8517 or email him at ace.phiri@ekurhuleni.gov.za
Ultimately, people must remember that ward councillors are there to help and serve the community.
“It is a part-time job where you have to be available 24 hours a day, seven days week,” says ward councillor Ramesh Sheodin.
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