“End Unscrupulous and Unconstitutional municipal services delivery practices!” This is the call from the newly formed “Govan Mbeki Municipality – Joint Civil Movement” at a recent press conference held in eMbalenhle.
It is clear that residents can no longer tolerate the state of municipal services from Govan Mbeki Municipality. Not only does Bethal and eMzinoni suffer crippling power cuts at the moment, but eMbalenhle are also having serious electricity problems. This is not the only problems facing GMM residents across the municipality but the pollution of rivers and streams due to constant sewer spillages are posing a serious health risk to all residents, it also poses a health risk to people downstream.
Illegal dumping and poor dumping site management are causing serious headaches to the residents so to speak.
Potholes are not filled and the road infrastructure is seriously deteriorating throughout the municipality. Civil rights movements are constantly trying to help with the roads especially, and the GMM Mayor are constantly putting pressure on large organisations such as Sasol to rectify the municipal failures.
The GMM Civil Joint Movement wrote a letter of demand to the Executive Mayor, the Mayoral Committee and the entire Council of GMM demanding that Service delivery be addressed with immediate effect.
“As various Civil Society Movements, teaming up with several community activists on a platform termed: Govan Mbeki – Joint Civil Movement, are urging the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality to adhere to the clear sets of constitutional obligations with immediate effect, if not we advise you to consider one out of the two options that shall assure sustainable service delivery to the society:
1. Start immediate and inclusive works with the larger society in repositioning the municipality so as to achieve its constitutional obligation.
2. Hand over the Municipality to its original owners namely being the society at large in a form of immediate stepping down as Council of Govan Mbeki Local Municipality.
Hand over the Municipality to its original owners namely being the society at large in a form of immediate stepping down as Council of Govan Mbeki Local Municipality.
Failing to consider one of the two options given above within 07 (Seven) days after receipt of this letter, shall grant us the option to take up the matter to avenues of accountability which shall apply in determining an option for you to reconsider.”
The voices of residents are once again gaining momentum through organisations such as these. Promises were made by the Premier, regarding items such as the removal of the Mayor and the returning of electricity supply to Eskom, in 2018 after a disastrous protest action campaign that ended in the burning of Emba Mall.
The situation throughout the municipality have now deteriorated to a point that is far worse than those that paved the way for the 2018 protest.
The Eskom Debt alone escalated with R1,5 Billion from July 2018 to its current state. Rand water escalated to a point were GMM are now being restricted with their water supply. Fuel is not supplied due to non-payment by GMM resulting in vehicles being grounded, including refuse trucks.
Yellow fleet (construction and refuse vehicles) should have been replaced after 2018 but instead, mainly bakkies were acquired.
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The GMM Joint Civil Movement made it clear that they are going to follow all routes to have the situation rectified.
Here is the letter as send to the Mayor:
Executive Mayor, Mayoral Committee and the entire Council of the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality
DEMAND TO THE END OF UNSCRUPULOUS MUNICIPAL SERVICE DELIVERY TO THE GREATER CITIZENS OF THE GOVAN MBEKI LOCAL MUNICIPALITY
To all respective parties concern subject to the above attention: We the Govan Mbeki – Joint Civil Movement, with this official letter herby demand immediate ending of the unscrupulous and unconstitutional municipal services delivery rendered to us the Govan Mbeki – Joint Civil Movement, together with the greater Citizens of the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality.
Our South African Constitution put it clear that municipalities have the responsibility to make certain that all of its citizens are provided with sustainable municipal services to satisfy their daily needs:
Chapter 7 Local Government, Section 152 and 153 puts clear sets of constitutional obligation of municipalities to abide to:
152. (1) objects of Local Government –
a) Provide democratic and accountable government for local communities by; – Working with Residents, NGO`s and CBO`s to monitor processes as well as to advise the municipality on priorities for service extensions and improvements.
b) Ensuring the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner that includes; – Water, Sanitation, Electricity, Roads, Storm water drainage, Solid waste disposal & Municipal parks and recreation
c) Promote social and economic development through; – Education, Employment and Business opportunities
d) Promote a safe and healthy environment on; – Land, Air and Water
e) Encourage the involvement of communities and community organisations in matters of local government so to allow; – Transparency and accountability
(2) A municipality must strive, within its financial and administrative capacity, to achieve the objects set out in subsection (1)
153. Developmental Duties of Municipalities –
a) A Municipality must structure and manage its administration and budgeting and planning processes to give priority to the basic needs of the community and promote social and economic development of the community;
b) Participate in national and provincial development programmes.
As various Civil Society Movements, teaming up with several community activists on a platform termed: Govan Mbeki – Joint Civil Movement, are urging the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality to adhere to the clear sets of constitutional obligations with immediate effect, if not we advise you to consider one out of the two options that shall assure sustainable service delivery to the society:
1. Start immediate and inclusive works with the larger society in repositioning the municipality so as to achieve its constitutional obligation.
2. Hand over the Municipality to its original owners namely being the society at large in a form of immediate stepping down as Council of Govan Mbeki Local Municipality.
Failing to consider one of the two options given above within 07 (Seven) days after receipt of this letter, shall grant us the option to take up the matter to avenues of accountability which shall apply in determining an option for you to reconsider.
The Bulletin will bring you more news as this story develops.
