Rapid response team hailed
RATEPAYER associations have welcomed news of a special rapid response team in eThekwini Municipality, to deal with urban forest challenges and overgrown verges.
Last week, head of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Thembinkosi Ngcobo said the team was set up to fasttrack a response to public reports and to eliminate complaints about verges remaining uncut for too long.
“Long delays for tree pruning, removing fallen trees, and other parks-related issues will now be reduced. The team will be supporting 10 districts, across the city, in addressing community complaints and resolving backlogs swiftly.
The unit will also attend to overhanging and fallen branches obstructing motorists and pedestrians, clean up fallen leaves, service parks-based playground equipment, and remove illegal advertisements.
“The planned turnaround time for responding to complaints is less than two days and will be done by mobilising a small team of efficiency-orientated employees, capable of solving problems quickly. This team will carrying out maintenance work within agreed time frames,” said Ngcobo.
Reservoir Hills Ratepayers Association chairperson Ish Prahlad said he eagerly anticipates seeing the team at work. “In our area, we have overgrown verges; our parks need to be sorted out.”
Derrick Govender, from the Crossmoor Ratepayers Association, said the clean-up in their area will help with poor visibility. “The overgrown verges and uncut trees act as a safe haven for criminals, and those wanting to grab land. I am constantly calling the Parks Department to come through and sort out issues, but it has not been done. Now I know it will be addressed.”
Alice Govender, a community activist from Phoenix, said she looked forward to the team delivering on their promises. “The Parks Department for the area has been lacking in service delivery. Privately-owned land has been left to grow bushes over a metre high. Cleanups should’ve been done and the landowners billedin terms of the by-laws.”
Contact the task team to lodge complaints on 031 322 4000/031 322 4045 or email PLC.Reception@durban.gov.za or Buhle.Gumede2@durban.gov.za.