Hillview residents protest against poor service delivery
HILLVIEW residents on Thursday morning blockaded the R34 with burning tyres and logs in protest of poor service delivery in their area.
The residents of the small suburb outside Empangeni accused the uMhlathuze Municipality of neglecting them.
One resident, Nomusa Nxumalo claims their municipal rates are much too high compared with what the municipality delivers.
‘We have tried on numerous occasions to engage with them, but all our attempts have been in vain.
‘Besides our exorbitant rates, street lights are not working and grass along our roads is not cut.
‘Our children do not have a park where they can play.
‘Our main road is completely damaged, caused by water tankers which come into our area daily to fetch water,' Nxumalo said.
‘Another problem is that these drivers are so arrogant; they block the road and become aggressive when we ask them to let us drive through. Their behavior is unacceptable.
‘We have brought all these issues to the municipality's attention, but up until now we have not heard anything from them.
‘No one is willing to assist us, it’s like we don’t exist,' said Nxumalo.
City of uMhlathuze communications manager, Mdu Ncalane said they did meet with the community last Thursday.
‘We informed them that we had a backlog in grass cutting, but since most of the workers have returned to work, it will be sorted out soon.
‘Engagements are still in progress to address the other problems.'