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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Residents of Asla Park are contending with streetlights not working because of alleged cable theft and speeding motorists threatening the lives of people walking in the streets.
Drainage
One of the residents also noted there was a problem with drainage in Nkosana Mbangi Street, behind Phimsa church, which caused a stench and resulted in people's yards being filled with water.
In Asla people walk in the streets and one of the residents pointed out that there are so many people in the streets, that there is not enough space for everyone. There is a lack of pavements.
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"It's difficult walking in the street, especially with children," she says, adding: "I'm not sure what can be done about that."
PHOTO GALLERY: Asla Park problems
Mzola Street is especially crowded, she said. Residents preferred to remain anonymous because they were complaining about speedsters in their neighbourhood and they feared intimidation. Mossel Bay Advertiser went to Asla Park and drove through the streets.
'Pavement space'
The Advertiser enquired to the municipality whether streets could be widened and more "pavement space" provided.
This and other problems were listed and forwarded to the municipality.
See municipal comment and a note on the municipality's Integrated Development Plan below this article.
An Asla Park resident noted: "On Nkosana Mbangi Street, behind Phimsa Church church and near the carwash in the street, is a smelly pool of blackish water."
She said there was a drain that was not working or a water leak next to the church, seemingly. In about three to four properties, there was water in the yards because of this drainage problem, she said. This resident noted that the roads are narrow and crowded with pedestrians.
Another Asla Park mother requested that motorists drive more slowly in Mzola and Dube streets, because of the children in the street. "Speed bumps are needed to slow down the traffic," she said.
There is only one stop street in busy Mzola Street.
'Cables stolen'
She complained that in Kotana Street, the cables are allegedly stolen, so there are street lights that are not working and it is, according to her pitch black at night.
This was dangerous for people needing to go to the shop at night, she said. Besides Kotana Street, there were street lights that did not come on at night in Dube, Mzola, and Nkosana Mbangi streets, she said.
She also complained that near a creche in Dadoo Street, the street lights were not working. This is a safety hazard in autumn and winter, when children are taken to the creche in the dark, by 07:00, before sunrise, or leave at 17:30, after sunset.
Location
The Advertiser struggled to find out the exact streets and location of the problems, with Asla residents not being certain of street names in their area.
They usually alluded to a carwash, a creche, or a church in describing where there was a problem. When asked: "Which street?" they replied that they did not know.
One noted that there was a street sign on one end of the street and not on the other. Also, street name signs were broken, not maintained and faded, needing paint. Several street name signs are illegible.
Municipal comment
Mossel Bay Municipality responded on 15 May to complaints about infrastructure in Asla Park.
The stinking pool of water on Nkosana Mbangi Street, behind Phimsa Church.
Mossel Bay Municipality is aware of this problem and has notified the contractor. Urgent attention is being given to the problem.
Repair work will commence shortly. Residents are reminded to report any service delivery issues to the municipality by:
- Calling the municipality switchboard and after-hours call centre on 044 606 5000.
- Sending an SMS to 44802. n Sending an email to admin@mosselbay. gov.za.
- Using the user-friendly Collab Citizen smartphone application (downloadable from Apple App Store, Google Play Store and Huawei App Gallery).
The app takes minimal data and is a user-friendly, effective way to report service delivery issues. Residents are urged not to dump any foreign objects into sewerage systems as this is regularly the cause of preventable blockages.
Damage to infrastructure is a recurring problem mostly due to interference or tampering.
The roads are narrow and people walk on the roads. Is it possible to construct pavements?
Sidewalks are capital projects and are implemented in areas such as central business districts or where justified, for example, constructed towards important centres like schools, hospitals, libraries, cultural places of interest and tourism hubs.
The construction of sidewalks is budget dependent. Sidewalks are not always feasible, nor economic, considering other budgetary priorities.
Sidewalk occupation, in some cases and neighbourhoods, using private gardens and privatisation such as placing out ornaments and beautification, is also an issue.
The first 1.5m measured from the road edge should be kept clean, clear and level specifically for public pedestrian use.
Members of the public are urged to compile and provide a list of streets to the municipality, for further investigation to take place. Should members of the public become aware of any sidewalk obstructions and unlawful private usage, please report the issue to municipal law enforcement (044 606 5000 or other channels already mentioned).
Speeding in Mzola and Dube Street. Speed humps are needed.
During the monthly council meeting of 25 May 2023, a proposal was brought forward for new criteria regarding traffic calming measures, including the installation of speed humps.
It was proposed because the requests by residents for speed humps is increasing, due to higher traffic volumes in residential areas.
Currently, scientific techniques as proposed in the National Guidelines for Traffic Calming by the Department of Transport remain the accepted norm for the implementation of speed humps.
A recommendation was made to the council to consider new criteria for traffic calming measures that will affect the implementation of speed humps to ensure a safe road environment and maintain traffic restrictions in residential streets, especially where frequent complaints are received.
The complaints will require written support from residents, requesting consideration of the implementation of speed humps as a traffic calming measure.
An investigation will then be carried out based on traffic volume, speed measurement and similar complaints that have previously been submitted regarding excessive speed or reckless driving behaviour.
The consideration will not apply to an individual request but must enjoy the support of residents in the specific street.
The implementation of speed humps is a capital project and its implementation, subject to the availability of the necessary budget.
Members of the public wanting to report any traffic violations like speeding or reckless driving, must contact the municipal traffic and law enforcement services (044 606 5000) or use any of the aforementioned channels.
Streetlights not working.
The streetlights in the mentioned streets are off, due to recurring theft and vandalism. The streetlight conductor has been repeatedly stolen.
Electricity Services have attended to the problem and identified an alternative type of conductor. This particular conductor is unfortunately not stocked by the municipality but an order has been placed.
Delivery is being awaited within the next 10 days, whereafter municipal electrical services will start from one side to reinstall the street light supplies with the new conductor.
Missing or inadequate street name signage.
The municipal standard is to maintain the existing infrastructure, be it a kerb with a nameplate or a kerb with letters embossed. As part of routine maintenance, street names can be replaced and/or repainted.
Members of the public are urged to identify the affected streets and supply a list to the municipality on the channels mentioned to be actioned.
Make inputs for integrated development plan, municipality urges
In response to questions about the maintenance of Asla Park infrastructure, the municipality has urged residents there to attend Integrated Development Plan (IDP) meetings.
Participation in the IDP process is vital, the municipality noted in a statement. "The Municipal Systems Act confers that local municipalities must encourage communities to participate in its affairs."
Public participation
It noted: "Mossel Bay Municipality conducted public participation through various platforms into the 2024/25 IDP Review, MTREF Budget, and budget related policies from 2 April to 24 April 2024 in all 15 wards. In total, 23 public consultations were held at various venues.
"The public consultations welcomed walk-ins and municipal officials offered assistance to any member of the public who required it, to make written submissions. A window period was extended until 3 May, for submission of additional information."
The IDP is a five-year plan that the local government is required to compile to determine the development needs of the municipality.
Budget
The projects within the IDP are also linked to the municipality's budget. It serves as an enabling framework that guides the municipality's actions and allocation of resources. All inputs received are recorded and followed up, the municipality noted.
The municipality confirms the window is officially closed. It encourages members of the public to continue participating in the IDP and budget review process within the scheduled timeframes by: Attending physical meetings and completing surveys.
Email submission at idp@mosselbay. gov.za (IDP-related information) and admin@mosselbay.gov.za (budget-related information). Physical submissions at no 101 Marsh Street Mossel Bay 6500.
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