ABERDEEN NEWS - After numerous failed attempts to engage with the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality about the lack of service delivery in Aberdeen, ratepayers took it upon themselves on Monday morning to clean up the dirty town.
Truckloads of refuse and rubble were collected and dumped in front of the municipal offices. According to the ratepayers, this demonstration was necessary since municipal workers, who receive rather large monthly salaries, choose to play dominoes or sleep on graves in the local graveyard during working hours.
Workers curse ratepayers
At about 07:00 on Monday, Aberdeen law enforcement officials put an end to what was considered illegal dumping. They also issued a fine to tractor driver Johannes Hemley, but the fine was later withdrawn.
When municipal workers reported for duty, they used foul language to express their discontent with the dumping of refuse and rubble on their doorstep and made it clear they would not be picking it up. Ratepayers found this surprising, as the bulk of the refuse was collected in front of the Voortrekker Hall where it was dumped by municipal workers, and much of the remainder was residential waste that the municipality failed to collect. A private individual, believed to be a friend of the area manager, Marvin de Jager, came to the rescue later in the day, when he and his workers removed the rubble.
Grievances ignored
The Area Manager of the Aberdeen Satellite Municipality, Clive Kombani, on Monday morning agreed to lend the ratepayers an ear. At the gathering they demanded to know why their e-mails to the municipality have been ignored since October last year. The most recent e-mail was sent on 29 January. Receipt thereof was only acknowledged on Sunday 7 February, presumably after word of Monday's proposed demonstration started doing the rounds.
But, it seems the ratepayers' novel protest action may yet pay dividends, as a meeting with the Dr Beyers Naude Municipal Manager, Dr Eddie Rankwana has since been secured. Hein (Hantie) Marx and Jurgens Strydom will attend the meeting in Graaff-Reinet on behalf of the ratepayers at 12:00 today (Thursday 11 February) to discuss their concerns.
Protocol trumps delivery
At the impromptu meeting on Monday Kombani refused to answer service delivery questions, saying he needs permission from Rankwana. He did say that he had passed on the e-mails to the MM, but that he had to follow protocol. In response to the ratepayers' conclusion that the municipal offices in Aberdeen might as well close down since the area manager possesses no powers, he said he is equally frustrated.
One of the primary concerns of residents is that "people are paid for doing nothing". During December 2020, refuse removal workers were intoxicated to such an extent, that it was "embarrassing".
Another concern is that appointed technicians lack the expertise to fulfill their functions.
Mobbed by workers
The ratepayers said the area manager has no control over employees and that the workers have zero respect for him. This was confirmed when municipal workers rudely interrupted the meeting, threatened, and cursed the area manager and ratepayers, and forcefully removed the area manager from the building. The angry mob of municipal workers could not even be contained by local law enforcement officials and a Captain of the Aberdeen SAPS ended up being assaulted and bleeding at the hands of a municipal worker.
No comment
Ratepayers stressed that the intention is not to contest the municipality but rather to promote cooperation. They made it clear that their actions cannot be deduced to a racial issue since every resident in Aberdeen is adversely affected. This is confirmed by a picture posted by Thembinkosi Bambelo, a member of the social media Service Delivery Movement platform, with the caption: "Even whites are complaining to us SDM about Aberdeen."
The ratepayers' next step will be determined by the municipality's reaction but warned that exploring legal avenues is not off the cards.
Attempts to obtain statements from the municipal workers were met with either hostility or aggression.
Dr Rankwana could not be reached for comment and the municipal spokesperson, Edwardine Abader, stated on Tuesday morning that there will be no comment from the municipality at this stage.
Refuse and rubble dumped in front of the Aberdeen municipality by aggrieved ratepayers.
A picture posted by Thembinkosi Bambelo, a member of the social media Service Delivery Movement platform, with the caption: "Even whites are complaining to us SDM about Aberdeen."
'We bring you the latest Karoo news'
