Sue Bentley

Dear MyPE The recently imposed rates and tariff increases in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality are technically illegal, as the 2020/2021 budget was illegally adopted by the ANC-led council in June. This illegal decision places the municipality at significant risk of litigation which could bring a halt to service delivery at a significant cost to the already overburdened ratepayers. The illegality of the budget has been confirmed by the minutes of the 29 June 2020 meeting, which … [Read more...] about Council minutes confirm that new BCM budget is illegal

Dear MyPE The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) is in contravention of the Municipal Structures Act by not providing minutes for council meetings during which important decisions are taken, such as the passing of the municipal budget. Since May 2020, when there was an easing of the Covid-19 pandemic national lockdown regulations, BCMM council meetings have been held with councillors and the relevant officials logging in virtually. The first such council meeting held in … [Read more...] about BCM Municipality flouting Municipal Structures Act by not providing council minutes

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance is calling on the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to investigate the manner in which residents, who illegally invaded land owned by the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM), were removed. On Monday 27 July residents who illegally invaded Farm 924 Greydell, owned by the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM), were awoken by bulldozers demolishing their newly built housing structures. Some of the structures demolished were brick … [Read more...] about DA escalates BCM Farm 924 evictions to SAHRC

Dear MyPE During an oversight visit yesterday, the DA was shocked to find the Dimbiza Fire Station closed with no vehicle or personnel in sight. The fence and gate surrounding the fire station was padlocked and staff members at a petrol station located across the road told us that the fire station had been locked for months. This was a direct contradiction to the assurance given by Mr Steve Terwin, General Manager of Emergency Services, at the most recent Health and Public Safety … [Read more...] about Dimbiza fire station closed

Dear MyPE In the light of the devastating fires that ravaged Knysna, Nelson Mandela Bay and Kouga last week, the Democratic Alliance in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality is gravely concerned about the capacity of the Buffalo City Metro (BCM) to fight fires of that magnitude. Buffalo City Metro has 7 fire stations, with only 6 fire trucks in operation. And of those 6 fire trucks, 0 passed the roadworthy test. We have, for the past 2 years, asked Council questions to ascertain the … [Read more...] about BCM not fit to fight potentially dangerous fires

Dear MyPE More than half of Buffalo City Metro fire engines are out of service at the hottest and busiest time of the year. The latest engine to be taken out of service is the newest addition to the fire-fighting fleet, a Mercedes medium pumper (HPV 068 EC) based in King Williams Town. It is out of service through gross negligence of a Metro official, and will cost almost R400,000 to repair, and this misconduct must be investigated and disciplined. The dashboard warning light showed … [Read more...] about More than 50% of BCM fire engines are out of service

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) opposes the proposed changes to the demarcation of the current Ward 46 in Buffalo City. As the ward currently exists, it will be a closely contested ward between the ANC and the DA in the 2016 local government elections and the DA has already objected to their proposed changing of the ward boundaries. The ANC proposes that the voting districts of Westbank High School and George Randall Primary School (which affects residents living in Westbank, … [Read more...] about Demarcation change to Ward 46 opposed