MOSSEL BAY NEWS - "Get your act in order and do what is expected of you," local resident Vuyani Ngqawuza recently told the Mossel Bay Municipality as he argues that all political parties in the town council have collectively "totally failed the community of KwaNonqaba".

"How else do you explain that the leadership of Mossel Bay can be held ransom by a handful of scumbags and disrespectful people who have no regard for law and order?"

Ngqawuza raised concern about the manner in which the strategically important Mayixhale Road was closed after the community had dug a trench across the roadway and he rues the fact that it took several days to repair the road that allowed access for, among others, the KwaNonqaba community to Voorbaai.

"The whole management of the municipality doesn't share our pain. It has dismally failed to give leadership and has total disregard for areas where black people reside," he said.

"What attempts have the local councillors taken to repair that road for their constituency? I am referring to the residents in Extension 8, 13, Asla Park, Smarty Town, Civic Park, KwaNonqaba, and Danabaai, all of whom were directly affected - like us - by the forced closure of Mayixhale Street due to the selfishness of the mere few who are dictating to the majority of the residents of Mossel Bay.

He added that taxis, private vehicles, business and construction vehicles and trucks were, as a result of the road closure, crowded on to the already congested Louis Fourie Road.

"Why not provide the speed humps so that those people who have us as hostage can be relieved from their poor reasoning and questionable mentality that makes them think that destroying the infrastructure like buildings and roads is the best form of industrial action to draw the attention of the powers that be - when you break what you have?

"Some of us who arrived from JCC Camp/Joe Slovo are witnessing this attitude for the first time in 38 years since we set foot in Maraisplaas/KwaNonqaba, this foolish act of being harassed and held hostage by the few people who are given the leeway and the right to dismantle what we have - in full view of police.

"Even when we were harassed by Apartheid police during riots in the 80s our roads in KwaNonqaba were never closed for a week."

Ngqawuza added that it is strange that the police were merely watching while a crime was being committed as they saw the trenches being dug. He says the police member's failure to arrest the perpetrators resulted in people being held hostage in their own area.

"A handful of people succeeded in dismantling public amenities and the road."

He laments that the police's refusal to act against those who destroyed the road denied the criminal justice system the opportunity to deal with the delinquents who could have been harshly sentenced to act as a deterrent if only they were brought to book.

He also objected to the coverage this incident received in the newspaper, adding that the issues pertaining to people living in poor areas do not receive adequate coverage.

Mossel Bay Municipality responds
The municipality notes the community's frustration and deeply regrets the inconvenience caused by road closures due to public dissatisfaction with their expectation of service delivery.

A municipality is a sphere of government with limited delegation and powers, which means the municipality can only act within its role and functions assigned to it by National Government.

The municipality cannot act forcefully and can only engage and negotiate with communities on an ongoing basis in terms of their needs and demands.

"We urge communities not to take matters into their own hands nor to take to the streets when they are unhappy about service delivery. Instead, we urge communities to engage with the municipality to find viable long-term solutions," the municipal spokesperson, Colin Puren said.

He added that the municipal council cannot discriminate against anyone and takes the concerns and needs of all communities to heart.

"One should keep in mind that the needs and wants of communities differ vastly. Actions taken and results derived largely depend on the situation at hand."

Puren said the municipality acknowledged that road closures resulted in frustration and overall disruption to the greater Mossel Bay area. However, the safety of all communities, property and municipal infrastructure took priority.

"The municipality will always consider all available options within the prescribed legal framework for local government structures. However, viable solutions may take some time due to the nature of demands and available funds." In terms of local development, the municipality endeavours to be proactive by identifying opportunities.