A host of issues were raised last week during a meeting held by the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI).
The on-going issue of lack of proper infrastructure and public toilets at Empangeni’s bus and taxi ranks was once again highlighted during the meeting held at the Empangeni Country Club.
ZCCI’s Mike Patterson noted that with more than 30 000 commuters making use of both the upper and lower ranks on a daily basis, the municipality has once again, failed to provide a full report concerning Empangeni’s commuter ranks.
The issue was brought to the fore in May this year when the ZCCI reported that substantial upgrades to the Ngwelezane-eSikhawini taxi rank were approved and were soon to be carried out.
Traffic congestion around the post office area was also brought into question.
Another issue of concern was that of abortion posters being plastered in and around the town.
Ward 23 councillor Andre de Lange noted that the municipality had been working on the issue of abortion posters but admitted that the perpetrators were very defiant and in most cases would replace the posters overnight once they had been removed.
Various business stakeholders called for the local SAPS to investigate the illegal abortion practitioners behind the issue itself.
Pot holes and speed bumps were another heated talking point with many in agreement that the town had seen an unnecessary increase in speed bumps which do not meet specifications.
Policing
Specific mention of illegal car washers and roadside mechanics throughout the town was made with concerns being raised about the lack of visible policing thereof.
During the meeting it was noted that police officers are somewhat afraid in dealing with the illegal car wash issue.
In his absence, ZCCI Chairman Dave Whittaker issued a statement appealing to business owners to not put too much trust in their employees.
Whittaker further reiterated in his statement that cybercrime is continuously on the rise and members of the public should not divulge personal information to anyone under any circumstances.
Water
Patterson noted that the water issue in Zululand remains a major problem. Although the area had received a decent amount of rain in recent weeks, the rain has failed to fall in the all-important catchment areas of storage dams.
Following the recent floods in Johannesburg, the ZCCI called on uMhlathuze Stormwater Management to clear the drains in the town.
Cllr De Lange was in agreement on the issue and assured that the municipality’s Stormwater Management will take action to avoid any future problems.
ZCCI’s Christa van der Walt also noted that numerous schools in the Zululand area are pushing to obtain Jojo water tanks in order to save water.
She appealed to industries to come on board and help donate water tanks to schools, especially in the rural areas.
Meanwhile Cllr De Lange announced the launch of the Ward 23 fault report website on which members of the public can duly log a fault, complaint or compliment.
Cllr De Lange confirmed that once a fault has been reported online it will be channelled through to the necessary individuals and will allow for a much quicker response to any given fault reported.
Members of the public are urged to report faults on www.umhlathuze23.org.za
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