Council still dealing with storm damage

Ndlambe Municipality is still collecting data about damage to infrastructure across the municipality during a destructive storm in the early hours of August 8. The storm and associated flooding saw several gravel roads rendered impassable after washaways, as well as damage to structures.

This update was given by Ndlambe mayor Khululwa Ncamiso during the council’s open meeting on August 30.

The data will be submitted to the Sarah Baartman District Municipality to support an application for disaster relief funding.

Among the other serious issues raised in Tuesday’s council meeting was a concern about e-coli test results between July and August. The concern was raised by ward 10 councillor Nadine Haynes. Ndlambe officials responded, saying the testing was conducted during heavy rain storms which could have affected the results.

Haynes also relayed the concerns of some Wharf Street businesses that sewage upgrades under way would affect them. She pleaded for potholes to be fixed following damage from the storm in early August.

The council nominated the mayor and municipal manager Rolly Dumezweni to attend a China International Import Expo in Shanghai from November 5 to 10.

This will be the fourth year SA has participated in the Shanghai CIIE, primarily a trade fair aimed at opening opportunities for high-quality agricultural products to expand their market share in China.

There was some heated altercation in Tuesday’s meeting as councillors championed the vulnerable in their constituencies. First, DA caucus leader Sikhumbuzo Venene crossed swords with EFF PR councillor Xolisa Runeli.

Well known for speaking his mind, Runeli asserted that Ndlambe Municipality could generate more revenue from ward 10 by reducing rebates. He suggested Settlers Park’s elderly residents could afford to pay full rates and should not enjoy rebates.

Venene countered that Runeli’s views were misplaced and he did not deserve to be in the council. On a similar theme, speaker Andile Marasi suggested Haynes’s plea about potholes did not top the priority list.

“At the moment I am more worried about ugogo (grandmother) in townships who do not have a roof because of heavy rains,” Marasi said, referring to the storm damage.

“There are families who are sleeping under leaking roofs in the township as we speak. We need to prioritize indigent people,” he said.

Talk of the Town will report in detail on issues discussed in this week’s council meeting, online and in coming editions. These include an update on the Bathurst Centenary Hall, and the Ndlambe Music Festival, among others.