21 June 2023
MEMBERS OF THE KZN LEGISLATURE LISTEN TO SERVICE DELIVERY ISSUES DURING MULTI-PARTY DELEGATION VISITS
Members of the KZN Legislature who were deployed as part of the Multi-Party Delegation visit to Ugu District heard how the people of the district are battling with service delivery issues on daily basis.
Issues such as lack of water, high crime rate, unemployment, and lack of access roads dominated the deliberations on the first day of the delegation visits.
Multi-Party delegation visits are conducted in preparation for the Taking Legislature to the People which is scheduled to take in Ugu District in November this year.
During the two-day visits Honourable Members held meetings with communities in all four municipalities and on the second day they visited identified service delivery projects.
“Life is very difficult here because of lack of water. But what we don’t understand is how come it is only in our areas where there is no water. Here in Mandawe we are depending on water tankers but if you go across the N2 you will find that water is flowing easily. Sometimes I feel like relocating to Scottburgh to enjoy their quality of life,” said Xolani Cele, a resident of Mandawe outside Scottburgh under Umdoni Municipality.
Other community members told the delegation how frustrated they become because of rising crime incidents. They said the so-called “amaphara” are running amok in their communities.
“We are living in fear. Women and girls are raped on daily basis and there are no arrests. We are told that sometimes people are released because the police holding cells are full and the local prison does not have the capacity to incarcerate people who are arrested here,” said an angry Sipho Mnguni.
Honourable Members told the communities that they will bring the provincial executive arm of government to come and give responses to all the issues raised.
On the second day Members visited a stadium in Umzinto that has cost R10 million and almost all members were angry at the “shoddy work” done to renovate and upgrade the Umzinto stadium.
Honourable Nomakiki Majola, was very unhappy that the officials did not invite the contractor to come and respond to questions raised by Honourable Members. Her sentiments were echoed by Honourable Vusi Dube and other members.
Members were also disappointed when they visited Sivusisizwe Agricultural Co-operative in Dududu where they received a report that since 2017 the co-operative has been assisted with agricultural implements to the value of more than R700 000.
“Why are these gardens not fenced? What are you doing to help these people and be part of the main agricultural value chain. You have failed this co-operative,” said Hon Mondli Chiliza, who was one of the team leaders.
Ends.
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