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Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Ward 9 News October 2011

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To see how hard working Ward Councillors go about their jobs, see Ward 9 councillor, Heinrich Muller’s newsletter below:

Water Restrictions Lifted

Please take note of the following information we received from the Metro:

“…In terms of section 31(a) of the Water Services By-law, the following restrictive use of water obtained from the Municipality’s water supply system will be imposed with effect from 25 July 2011:

  • The use of hosepipes, sprinklers, sprinkler and drip systems to watering gardens, lawns, grassed areas, flower beds, racecourses, sports fields, bowling greens, golf greens and fairways, croquet lawns, turf wickets, ploughing fields and the like will not be permitted between 10:00 and 16:00.
  • Washing down of driveways, paved areas, roofs and buildings only permitted if a pressurized sprayer is used.
  • Washing down of cars, boats, caravans only permitted if a pressurized sprayer is used…”

I urge you to adhere to these time frames in taking hands to save water. Please note that the contravention of this prohibition constitutes a criminal offence.

News from the Metro

  • Appointment of the MM: The PE Labour Court on Friday, 9 September 2011, ordered an interdict against the NMBM Council, which resulted in the Council withdrawing the item on the Municipal Manager from the agenda.
  • Kabuso Report: At the NMBM Council meeting held on Friday, 9 September 2011, Executive Mayor, Cllr Zanoxolo Wayile, tabled a report on the Kabuso Forensic investigation into alleged irregularities on various matters of the administration of the NMBM.

Mayor Wayile informed Council of the progress made in respect of the Kabuso Report, which was noted by Council, and outlined a process plan which was accepted by Council. In terms of the process plan, an Executive Mayoral Task Team of three (3) members will be set up, which will compile all comments received from any officials and/or ex-officials mentioned and /or implicated in the report. The Mayoral Task Team is also mandated to liaise directly with the Office of the MEC for Local Government & Traditional Affairs, and to present an updated report to Council together with firm recommendations.

We, the DA, are monitoring these matters to ensure that it receives the necessary attention and action. I will provide regular feedback w.r.t. this matter in due course.

Speed Law Enforcement

Speed Law Enforcement was conducted along Atlanta Crescent, Framesby Ext. and I received the following feedback during July 2011:

  • On 13 June 2011 between 16:00 and 17:30, a total of twenty nine (29) vehicles were measured. The highest speed recorded was 58 km/h and No motorist was prosecuted for exceeding the speed limit in a 60 km/h zone.
  • On 29 June 2011 between 15:30 and 17:00, one (1) vehicle was measured. The highest speed recorded was 47 km/h and No motorist was prosecuted for exceeding the speed limit in a 60 km/h zone.
  • On 11 July 2011 between 07:00 and 08:30, a total of thirty two (32) vehicles were measured. The highest speed recorded was 65 km/h and No motorist was prosecuted for exceeding the speed limit in a 60 km/h zone.

Linton Grange Clinic

I have received numerous complaints w.r.t. the Clinic. I have consulted with the sister-in-charge at the clinic as well as the Metro in order to address the problems experienced by the residents. I have also tabled the following motion re the situation at the Linton Grange Clinic:

Section 27(1) of the Constitution states: “Everyone has the right to have access to health care services”.

This clearly refers to proper health care services that are safe, clean and efficient, providing the necessary medical treatment to those in need.

I am extremely concerned that the Linton Grange clinic cannot provide the quality health care to the patients as required by them, as they are severely hampered in performing their tasks and duties due to shortage of staff and medical stock, as well as the influx of patients from surrounding clinics.

The Linton Grange clinic is understaffed and under tremendous pressure. They are functioning without a Pharmacy assistant and therefore need to dispense themselves, this means their consultation per patient takes longer, and thus affecting the waiting time. They do inform their clients of the long waiting time and encourage them to bring something to eat with them so as not to feel ill while waiting.

The building is not big enough for the services that they are rendering and the waiting area totally inadequate, space as well as ventilation not up to par. This situation is making it very difficult for the clinic staff to run a professional service to the public and is not fair towards our clinic staff and definitely not our ratepayers of this Metro.

As if this is not frustrating enough, many of our other clinics (e.g. Greenbushes, Gelvandale, etc.) also have the same issues and are closed at long periods of time, resulting that their people also make use of the Linton Grange Clinic.

We, the DA, request that urgent action be taken to ensure that immediate intervention take place from this committee to resolve the ongoing problems being experienced at the clinics in order to provide an effective service, as prescribed by our constitution, to all the residents of the metro.

Public Health assured us that they will investigate and take the necessary steps to address the shortcomings at all the clinics in the Metro.

Baakens River

We have experienced constant sewerage spillage in the Baakens River over the past couple of months and I have therefore tabled the following motion re the deterioration of the Baakens River:

The condition over the past couple of months at the Baakens River in Sunridge Park has shockingly deteriorated. It has become a serious health and local disaster for all the residents of the Metro. This is due to an ineffective sewerage system and the pump station not working to its full capacity in the area causing constant sewage overflow into the Baakens River.

This beautiful asset, the Baakens River, is a source of embarrassment to us as raw sewerage flows into our rivers.

There is almost a complete destruction of all fish, frogs, and snakes around the immediate banks on the Baakens. Even the birds no longer drink from the Baakens, choosing to rather drink or wash in the small streams that flow into it.

We cannot allow this disaster to continue unchecked as the entire river system below the overflow is compromised. This river empties into our harbour and the sewage is polluting our beaches. The Metro beaches lost their blue flag status and this continual environmental disaster will only worsen the situation.

Problems that we experience which contribute to this natural disaster are:

  • Deficiencies and weaknesses in our sewage system which are coming to the fore on a more regular basis.
  • Staff shortages.
  • Manhole covers not properly secured in the Baakens river.
  • The pump station at the bottom of Hawthorne Ave, Sunridge Park not working to its full capacity.

This part of the sewerage system is in dire need of immediate upgrading.

If the system cannot be properly upgraded it must be relocated, but the current situation cannot continue.

We need an action plan setting out the steps the Metro intends taking to repair, upgrade and to avoid future sewage spillage into this beautiful asset of the Metro.

Please note that Council agreed that this matter will received the necessary attention and that action will be taken were necessary. We will monitor the situation to ensure that the Metro complies.

Unblocking of Electricity Meters

“… a trend has developed whereby account holders will usually contact Senior Managers and Councillors to request their electricity be reconnected or unblocked. In addition to this, it has been observed that the Acting Executive Director: Electricity and Energy is at times inundated with similar requests.

In order to ensure that the intent of the Credit Control Policy is not compromised which is directly linked to the institutional Financial Recovery Plan, such requests which are in the majority of instances unfairly made to Senior Managers and Councillors should not be encouraged.

For convenience, the following contact numbers to assist you with electricity unblocking and reconnections where proof of payment is confirmed:

  • Mondays to Fridays from 08h00 to 16h00: (041) 506-5555 or
  • Mondays to Fridays from 16h00 to 20h00: (041) 506-1700

Requests for Planting of Trees

Thanks to the current water situation, we can once again apply for trees to be planted in the areas. If you are willing to adhere to the conditions as set out below, please contact my office for the application form.

What will be expected from you:

  • Fill the tree base with water once a week.
  • Remove weeds and grass regularly.
  • Remove dead leaves when necessary.
  • Ensure that the tree is attached to the tree stake as it was when planted.
  • Straighten tree stakes that have become skew.

New SASSA Satellite Office in Lorraine

We received the following message from Cllr Rautenbach (Ward 8) and would like to share it with all residents:

“… As from Tuesday, 30 August 2011, SASSA officials will be available at the Storehouse New Covenant Church, situated at the corner of Vitry Avenue and Moselle Street, Lorraine. SASSA officials will assist residents with their applications regarding pension, disability-, child grants, etc.

The operating time for the SASSA Satellite Office will be from 09H00 to 13H00.

This service will be rendered once weekly, on Tuesdays. Should the SASSA Satellite Office be well supported, this service could be extended to more days…”

Please note however that the service will only be rendered on Tuesdays.

Deepest Condolences

We wish to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mrs Ruey-Lien Lin (60) of Atlanta Crescent, Framesby who was found murdered in her house on Tuesday, 20 September 2011. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.