East London – Corruption once again fell under the spotlight at the presentation of Buffalo City Metro Municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) in East London.
Speaking at the presentation of the draft, Local Government and Traditional Affairs MEC, Mlibo Qoboshiyane, told executive mayor Zukiswa Ncitha she needed to “lead from the front in rooting out corruption.”
“We must fight corruption with all our might, zeal and zest. Municipal positions must be filled by those who qualify for those positions,” said Qoboshiyane, adding that local government managers needed to justify their existence to the people of the metro and that “the time to deliver is now.”
The presentation formed part of the metro’s open day and presented council with the opportunity to present the outcomes of the metro’s IDP/budget road shows, which saw municipal officials visit six clusters, representing all the metro’s wards.
As IDP/Budget portfolio head, Mthetheli Sam, presented the outcomes of the road shows, it became abundantly clear that the metro’s residents faced similar challenges. Issues that arose from the report included inadequate sanitation, billing challenges, health challenges, and the lack of proper housing, youth training centres, recreational parks and amenities (schools, clinics and community halls).
In response, acting chief financial officer, Vincent Pillay, noted that they were prepared to deal with these issues.
“We have identified the following as key areas that need to be addressed: housing, proper sanitation, roads, electricity, waste collection, local and rural development,” said Pillay.
He said the business sector and the House of Traditional Leaders will also get an opportunity to interact with the IDP.
“After our meetings with business and the traditional leaders, council will adopt the IDP/Budget,” said Ncitha.
Nompulelo Mraji, from Luxolweni outside Mdantsane, said the metro needed to address service delivery issues in rural areas.
“We have been begging for housing for the last 46 years. All we ever hear is Mdantsane-this and Mdantsane-that. It’s high time that the municipality addresses rural development in this area,” said an emotional Mraji.
Xamela Mxenge, from Nompulelo township, said the metro needed to keep residents updated on the IDP.
“We want to be afforded the opportunity to analyse the metro’s expenditure so we know where our hard-earned money is going,” said Mxenge. – Thando Cezula, BuaNews
