Municipality to find resolutions in eSikhaleni

ESIKHALENI community grievances with the municipality stay unresolved.

Emotions ran high, leading to discussions between South African National Civil Organization (SANCO) representatives and uMhlathuze Municipality leaders coming to a standstill at Hlanganani Community Hall on Friday.

The two parties met to talk further about matters raised by residents during a public community meeting last Sunday.

Residents complained about the major rates increases, and believed their houses were wrongly evaluated.

Some blamed the municipality for installing water meters in the rural area, without their consent and said they couldn’t afford to pay.

Restless residents said the municipality ‘does not think of the poor’, and their electricity and water are being cut without any notice.

Nepotism within the municipality was also highlighted.

Residents said they can’t acquire employment, and they believe some individuals get preferences, as the employment system is not transparent.

Some Ngwelezane homeowners also attended the meeting, with proof of the high rates increase.

Those who live next to Thanduyise High School said they wanted proper roads and a sewerage system.

‘Because we use drop toilets, when it rains sewerage gets to the neighbour’s yard. This create a big conflict between us.’ said one Ngwelezane resident.

Sanco regional secretary, Thembinkosi Mthembu led the deliberations.

He requested the leadership to intervene and come up with a speedy resolution, before these grievances lead to a community march.

Municipality response

City mayor, Elphas Mbatha, responded on new water meters and said they had been installed to save water.

‘Thousand of litres of water were being wasted by people who don’t pay for it. This is the solution to monitor our water supply.

‘People must know if they want to waste water, that they will pay for it. In that way, they will save it.’ said Mbatha.

Acting Deputy Municipal Manager: Infrastructure and Technical, Tumi Gopane, provided explanations about power cuts.

‘This area is supplied by one line. We are planning on getting a second one in about three years time.

‘If the outages are planned, we normally inform residents via sms,’ said Gopane

Municipal Manager, Dr Nhlahla Sibeko, said the service station is in the process of being refurbished and has been included in the budget.

The municipal leaders requested time to go through all documentation, and will come with a full response in due course.