Ward 36 Community Meeting Feedback

By Cllr. Wendy Morgan — DA Ward 36 Councillor in Ekurhuleni

Date: 26 August 2022

Release: Immediate

Type: Media Statement

On Thursday, 11 August 2022 a community meeting was held by Cllr Wendy Morgan for the residents of Ward 36.

Cllr Wendy Morgan would like to extend her thanks to the members of the community who were in attendance along with the MMC for Finance, Cllr Fana Nkosi, who is also responsible service delivery co-ordination in Germiston; MMC for City Planning, Ald. Heather Hart and Member of Parliament, Michele Clarke.

The following feedback was given to residents in the meeting:

City Planning:

• Regarding the list of ‘problem properties’ handed to MMC Hart by the Primrose Action Group, she advised that these have been passed onto the Planning department for investigation.
• She confirmed that previously reported contraventions where notices have been served were with the Legal Department for processing through the Court system. However it can take years before a hearing date is received.
• For that reason, the City of Ekurhuleni is also using Magistrates courts where possible.
• Furthermore, the City is intending to levy administrative penalties of R500 to R5000 a day on property owners where there are either illegal buildings or land use.
• In addition, the department is undertaking blitzes to the hotspot areas.

Housing:

• There is a severe lack of housing throughout the City, giving rise to backyard dwelling currently against the City Planning bylaws unless application has been made and approved.
• However, the City has many housing projects, as does the private sector to alleviate the problem and assist in reducing the number of informal settlements in the City.

Illegal Connections:

• The Energy Department is tackling this issue and arranging joint operations with other stakeholders.

Illegal Dumping and Wheelie bins:

• In order to reduce the need for dumping illegally, the City intends undertaking an audit throughout the City and rolling out extra bins to property owners and charging them where it is obvious that there are more people staying on the property than just one or two bins can accommodate.

Liquor Licenses:

• Regarding concerns raised over the high number of taverns and liquor stores in Primrose, the granting of liquor licenses falls under the Provincial Liquor Board. They are not required to consult with either Ward Councillors or SAPS which needs to change.

Simmer and Jack Landfill site:

• Regarding complaints that residents were having to pay to enter the landfill site it was advised that Residents are allowed to dispose of up one ton of refuse per week free of charge. If they exceed that they would need to open an account at the Finance office in Germiston where the cost as per weight will be charged.

Important updates:

• Please note that local Public Meetings will be held per street in Ward 36.
• All individual complaints addressed to Cllr Morgan will be dealt with.
• Faulty streetlights are now being repaired and residents are to please send details of outstanding ones to Cllr Morgan so that she can follow up.
• The tar supply contract has not yet been awarded and thus only potholes in major roads are currently being filled.
• Shoddy workmanship by contractors needs to be reported with supporting photographs to Cllr Morgan so that they can be escalated, and contractors held to account as per their service level agreements.
• The EMPD control room number 011 999 2450 and residents can email Jabulani.Gebuza@ekurhuleni.gov.za and cc Timothy.Molope@ekurhuleni.gov if there is no resolution to the complaint.
• The City’s emergency number to request urgent EMPD or disaster management services is 011 458 0911.

Cllr. Wendy Morgan

DA Ward 36 Councillor

072 963 9675