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DA Demands Accountability from NMB Municipality after Flooding Crisis

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Dear Editor

The recent flood damage in Nelson Mandela Bay could have been significantly minimised if the municipality had taken the destruction caused by the June flooding seriously and acted promptly to implement preventive measures.

However, the municipality chose not to act, and after heavy rains fell over Nelson Mandela Bay on Monday and Tuesday, thousands of residents have been left destitute, with reported fatalities resulting from the metro’s dereliction of duty.

During his visit to the flooded areas this week, EC MEC for COGTA, Zolile Williams, was reported to attribute the flooding to the metro’s failure to maintain stormwater drains, particularly following the June flooding.

DA EC Spokesperson for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Retief Odendaal MPL, will write to the Chairperson of the COGTA Portfolio Committee in the Eastern Cape Legislature, calling for accountability from the political and administrative leadership of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality for their failure to protect residents from the devastating impact of the flooding.

He will request that the MMC for Roads and Transport, Cllr Bradley Murray, and the Directorate of Roads and Transport appear before the committee to explain what actions were taken after the June flooding to ensure the maintenance of the stormwater drainage system. If Cllr Murray is found to have neglected his responsibilities, we will call for his immediate resignation.

DA NMB Spokesperson for Roads and Transport, Cllr Tommy Faltain, has also submitted a Motion of Public Importance to the Speaker’s office requesting the following:

  1. That the Directorate of Roads and Transport account for the mitigation steps taken after the flooding in June.
  2. That the Directorate of Roads and Transport provide the council with an audit of the number of stormwater drains cleaned and the budget spent after the June flooding.
  3. That the Directorate of Roads and Transport present an operational plan for the cleaning of stormwater drains for this financial year.

The Metro had almost four months to get its house in order and this tragedy could have been prevented, but they neglected to act.

The DA will now do everything in its power to restore the dignity of residents who have lost everything during the flooding. We will not stand idly by while the citizens of Nelson Mandela Bay suffer.

Regards

Yusuf Cassim MPL
DA EC Provincial Chairperson

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