Bobani vows to clean up dumpsites
THERE was rubbish scattered everywhere as Nelson Mandela Bay deputy mayor Mongameli Bobani visited Kleinskool and Veeplaas yesterday.
Bobani was on a oversight visit of three wards – 30, 33 and 36 – to assess the living conditions of residents and to listen to their gripes.
It follows a budget and integrated development plan public participation meeting in KwaDwesi last Wednesday – chaired by Bobani – where residents raised a host of concerns.
Yesterday, he heard how illegal dumping had become a growing problem in the three wards.
Veeplaas resident Mgubasi Ciko said he was happy that Bobani had taken the time to listen to residents.
“Here, in Veeplaas, we have a serious problem of illegal dumping,” Ciko said.
“There are many other areas I can take you to see exactly the same thing. I hope they [the municipality] do something about it.”
Bobani assured him that they would, saying: “We are working on cleaning up illegal dumping sites. My department is on top of it.”
KwaDwesi resident Lulama Tyali, who has been struggling since 1998 to have the municipality repair her shoddily built home, which is riddled with gaping holes, said she really battled when it rained.
“There are holes in the wall. When it rains, we have to protect our valuables,” the mother of two said.
Tyali says she is unemployed and cannot afford to fix her house out of her own pocket.
Bobani said he would engage with the Bay’s human settlements political head, Nqaba Bhanga, who would attend to the matter.
On the issue of the clinics, Bobani raised concerns about staff shortages and the lack of adequate security.