Dear Editor
The DA in eThekwini has written to Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda to convene a daily Executive Committee (EXCO) meeting from 7-8 am to allow officials and chairpersons of committees to brief the EXCO on developments relating to the ongoing flooding disaster.
There is a current vacuum of information in communities which is causing frustration and leading to protests. This briefing will allow ward councillors to have current information on hand to assist in the recovery, clean up and reconnection of services in their wards.
Right now, water provision is the single biggest problem in eThekwini, with erratic and uncoordinated tanking of water to wards. This is now being hijacked by opportunist politicians to drive political agendas.
The DA is only interested in solutions to relieve the suffering of residents which is why the daily briefing must include:
- A schedule of water tankers to each ward on each day. This will allow ward councillors to co-ordinate communities to find water;
- Update on progress made on reconnecting water and electricity and what outages should be expected for that day;
- What meetings are planned between the city and provincial MEC’s and Ministers, and what assistance they are providing;
- Communications agenda to communities for the day; and
- What social development assistance is being provided to each ward for that day
It is also critically important that the EXCO engages with Umgeni Water to assist in providing water relief to communities. They are not playing their part despite charging the city for water provision.
People across eThekwini are suffering whilst politicians look on. This municipality needs urgent attention which can only come from the Executive Committee meeting every day to take charge of this growing crisis. Failure to do so will lead to the next disaster which will be human suffering and disease.
DA councillors are on the ground and will continue to ensure residents get the service they deserve.
Regards
Cllr. Thabani Mthethwa
DA EThekwini Chief Whip
