Dear Editor
The Enoch Mgijima municipality has collapsed to such an extent that it is now little more than a failed local state, unable to discharge its responsibilities and function properly.
In this municipality corruption is rife and service delivery has come to a grinding halt. The government has lost all legitimacy in the eyes of the citizens. Residents deserve better.
Enoch Mgijima is home to possibly the biggest economy in the Eastern Cape hinterland, yet the municipality has failed to create an enabling environment to attract investment. Businesses are folding, families are leaving, properties stand empty and jobs are being shed.
Basic services have all collapsed. Electricity infrastructure is dilapidated, municipal vehicles have been auctioned off to pay creditors, tender processes to secure service providers are riddled with irregularities and regular billing for municipal rates no longer exists.
Yesterday, 14 September 2022, the DA held a picket in eKomani and submitted a memorandum to the Speaker and Chief Whip of council. The memorandum contains action steps which we believe are crucial to the survival of not only eKomani, but all surrounding villages, whose survival depends on this town succeeding. (pictures here, here and here)
These steps include the ring fencing and regular payment of the Eskom current account and debt; the immediate reinstating of regular and accurate billing of rates; the revival of basic municipal services and a forensic audit into all financial irregularities, with concomitant and appropriate consequence management for offenders.
The DA is the only party with a track record for turning failed local and provincial governments into successful and economically viable institutions which attract both local and foreign investment, creating much needed jobs in the process.
We will engage with our Mayor in the DA-governed Kouga Local Municipality, Cllr Horatio Hendricks, in order to promote best practise and we will continue to make recommendations that, if implemented, will turn the fortunes of Enoch Mgijima around. The citizens deserve no less.
Kouga is also an economic hub in the province and was in tatters before the DA took over government in 2016. Since then, it is widely accepted as the best municipality in the Eastern Cape.
The DA will continue to fight for the rights of the residents of Enoch Mgijima. The municipality has failed them and they deserve better.
Regards
Jane Cowley, MPL
Enoch Mgijima Constituency Leader