Dear Editor

The Democratic Alliance (DA) strongly condemns the criminal neglect of infrastructure by the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality in Komani, which has resulted in a once beautiful heritage building known as the JC Marshall building burning to the ground last night, 11 October 2021. (See pictures here and here)

Despite repeated requests by our councillors and residents to have the building secured and properly maintained by the municipality, the opposite has happened. Once an Arts and Crafts centre, it became progressively more neglected and many of the building’s contents, including artworks of value, have been removed over the past years, leaving the building almost completely stripped and vandalised by vagrants.

When a fire started in the building last evening, the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality was unable to respond as they do not have a fire fighting vehicle. This is the third such fire in recent times. The Local Economic Development office and the Municipal Public Accounts Committee office, with sensitive documentation pertaining to the functionality of the municipality, also burnt down.

This is an appalling indictment on a government that purports to care about residents but cannot offer the services that they pay rates and taxes for. People could have died in the fires. Enough is enough!

I will write to the MEC for COGTA, Xolile Nqatha, and request a full investigation into why the local municipality is not equipped to fight fires. I will further request that the Municipal Manager and the Director of Human Settlements be suspended from office as a matter of urgency, as their incompetence, lack of accountability and maladministration are clearly becoming a threat to the safety and wellbeing of residents.

In DA–led municipalities, the public purse is treated with respect and all municipal services are rendered to residents in order to ensure quality of life. Maintenance of infrastructure, particularly critical and life- saving infrastructure such as fire- fighting equipment, is prioritised so that we are able to respond to fires and other life threatening situations effectively. This is because where the DA governs, we get things done.

Regards

Jane Cowley, MPL
Enoch Mgijima Constituency Leader

Read the full article by Con Tributor here: My Gqeberha