Letter: Supervision needed in service delivery
IT was with interest that I read a letter pertaining to the absence of “service delivery” in Monday’s The Herald (“Stone S-bend bus stop now repaired”). I am not at all surprised at what is going on in our city! First and for the most, there is allegedly no control over laid-back officials and second, there is apparently no supervision. One just needs to drive around the city to see where a team of “workers” is on “duty” repairing (if you can call it that) certain breakages of service failure. One cannot blame these people for doing what they can, but supervision is vital in any aspect of work. As a councillor during the ‘80s and ‘90s, I did my daily rounds through our city to observe what was going on. I fully understand that a councillor’s duties are representing your ratepayers’ interest, but also those of the entire city at all times. Although I was elected on a ward basis I served the entire community – irrespective if the problem was in New Brighton, Central, Walmer or Summerstrand, I dealt with each case as I was serving my city. For the record, I only received about R650 petrol and phone allowance. I had to utilise my own office and paid my personal secretary to do all correspondence. Recently, in six cases where I asked ratepayers who still bring their complaints to me, who their councillor was not one could even tell me who they were!
I must agree with the writer of the letter that there is no material to replace broken lamp standards. I spoke to an official at the energy division and he categorically told me that “they have no money to buy new poles”. As for the streetlights that are out, I at least see a crane truck once in a while replacing some globes! As for the potholes, sue the council for any damage to your vehicle! During 2004 I was travelling along a street in Newton Park during a heavy downpour. With a vast majority of our storm water drains blocked, my car struck a huge pool of water, causing the air intake to suck a wave of water into the engine and leading to a hydraulic lock. The result: R156 000 damage to a new car’s engine. I successfully sued the council and it had to foot my bill! I had sufficient photographic evidence to strengthen my case, having photographed 18 blocked drains all over our city. I urge any person suffering the fate of broken wheels, bent suspension or any related damage to his or her vehicle, due to potholes on public roads, to get a good lawyer and take the council to task. Make an effort to get to know your councillor! You do not need to see him every four years and that only on a poster during election time.
