Save Umdoni

THIS PETITION IS ADDRESSED TO COGTA (at national and provincial levels)

Towns in the UMDONI MUNICIPAL AREA, in general, and the economically key town of SCOTTBURGH, in particular, have fallen into an advanced state of disrepair. This state has had a negative effect on tourism, the area’s main industry which, in turn, has had a knock-on effect to hotel occupancy, business activity, commercial property rental, residents’ wellbeing and, possibly most importantly, local employment.

A number of Ratepayers’ Associations and Civic Organisations have, for many years, engaged in a positive and constructive manner with UM in numerous attempts to encourage UM to carry out the necessary maintenance and repairs to the rapidly failing infrastructure, so as to return the area to its former functioning and tourist-friendly state.

Unfortunately, such encouragements and engagements with UM have not produced the desired results.

CONSEQUENTLY, WE AS PROPERTY OWNERS, RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO THE UMDONI MUNICIPAL AREA, REQUIRE UM TO TAKE URGENT ACTION TO FINALLY DEAL WITH THE UNACCEPTABLE SITUATIONS WHICH PERSIST IN UMDONI.

THE FOLLOWING IS A CHECKLIST OF THE MOST URGENT AND/OR SERIOUS PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED, IN ORDER OF PRIORITY:

1) SCOTTBURGH BEACHFRONT HOOLIGANISM. The unruly and anti-social behaviour which continues to take place at the Scottburgh Beachfront and parking areas, particularly on Friday nights, MUST BE TERMINATED FORTHWITH. UM is required to remove the braai facilities, restrict vehicle access and deploy appropriate officials (SAPS, UMDONI PROTECTION SERVICES or PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS) to ensure that UM’s own bye-laws are adhered to;

2) UMDONI MUNICIPAL STAFF. UM is required to appoint properly-qualified staff, particularly in management positions. Appointments are to be made according to proven management skills, WITHOUT CONSIDERATION FOR POLITICAL PERSUASION OR RACE. It is unacceptable that a municipality with a R198m BUDGET is presided over by a MUNICIPAL MANAGER who lacks appropriate management and financial experience. This position should be occupied by a suitably experienced CAREER MANAGER, ideally a CA(SA) or MBA.

3) SCOTTBURGH BEACHFRONT DECAY. The Pavilion buildings and surrounds have fallen into a state of advanced disrepair and are unfit to be tenanted. UM is required to repair the buildings and find suitable FOOD AND BEVERAGE tenants, as a MATTER OF URGENCY;

4) SCOTTBURGH CBD and UMZINTO CBD DECAY. The streets and sidewalks of these CBDs, in particular, have not been maintained. Landlords are unable to rent some of their commercial space and have no incentive to improve their properties because UM has failed to maintain even the basic infrastructure. The infrastructure of other major areas (including AMAHLONGWA, AMANDAWE, BAZLEY, ELYSEUM, EMALANGENI, IFAFA, MTWALUME, PARK RYNIE, PENNINGTON, SEZELA) is also rapidly deteriorating;

5) UNEMPLOYMENT, especially among those who live in the RURAL AREAS, is severely affected by the aforementioned factors, which in turn reduces the quality of life of these residents and further increases POVERTY AND CRIME;

6) UMDONI BUDGET. The Ratepayers’ Associations have expended much time and effort in creating an ALTERNATIVE BUDGET for the years 2014-15 and 2015-16. These budgets were based on sound and responsible management and financial principles, with due reference to appropriate sections of the MFMA (MUNICIPAL FINANCE MANAGEMENT ACT) and the SA CONSTITUTION. These budgets proved to UM that amounts of up to R8.6m and R25.6m (in budgets of R167m and R198m) could be saved for the years 2014-15 and 2015-16, WITHOUT THE NEED TO INCREASE RATES. The suggestions in these ALTERNATIVE BUDGETS were dismissed by UM with contempt and without any logical reasons. Some of the Budget suggestions:

6.1) increase REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE from the present R10.1m to R41.8 (8% of R523m Asset base).

6.2) reduce GENERAL EXPENSES by R7.5m, including the elimination of NON-CORE EXPENSES of R2.7m, as required by MFMA CIRCULAR No.74 page 11 and provided for in Section 153 of the SA CONSTITUTION;

6.3) ALLOCATE EXPENDITURE TO THE AREAS FROM WHICH RATES INCOME IS DERIVED;

6.4) levy rates on RURAL PROPERTIES which are not presently subject to paying rates;

6.5) reduce UM’s reliance on CONTRACTED SERVICES (to save R6.3m). Alternatively REDUCE PERMANENT STAFF COSTS or TRAIN AND MANAGE STAFF to adequately replace contractors;

6.6) impose a MORATORIUM ON RATES INCREASES until such time as the above requirements have been achieved.

WE WISH TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT WE ARE NO LONGER PREPARED TO LIVE IN HOPE THAT UM WILL EVENTUALLY DO THE JOB FOR WHICH THEY ARE GENEROUSLY PAID (with our property rates as well as our income taxes) NOR WILL WE CONTINUE TO TOLERATE UM’S CONTINUOUS EMPTY PROMISES.

WE SHALL REQUIRE A FORMAL RESPONSE TO THIS PETITION FROM COGTA, TOGETHER WITH A WORKABLE PLAN OF ACTION AS TO HOW UM WILL RECOVER FROM THE UNACCEPTABLE SITUATION THEY HAVE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN, WITHIN 10 WORKING DAYS OF OUR SUBMISSION OF THIS PETITION TO COGTA.

FAILURE TO ADDRESS OUR CONCERNS WILL RESULT IN APPROPRIATE ACTION BEING TAKEN.