Latest news with #CoM
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- The Citizen
Residents fed up with lack of by-law enforcement by City of Mbombela
Residents fed up with lack of by-law enforcement by City of Mbombela Residents and business owners are gatvol with the City of Mbombela's (CoM) inability to enforce by-laws. Illegal dumping is ongoing and cars are still being repaired on the sides of residential and industrial streets. According to residents, these issues have been raised with the municipality on various occasions but no action has been taken. Despite the CoM's claim that illegal dumping has stopped, it is still a major problem in Mbombela, White River and on the R538. According to a White River ward councillor, Rowan Torr, vehicles are still being repaired on roadsides, especially on Peter Graham and Theo Kleynhans streets. 'The streets are a mess because of spilled oil and littering. It is illegal and the municipality knows it but does nothing,' Torr said. ALSO READ: City of Mbombela tackles Gatvol issues, but it's 'not a one-day job' Car repairs on Stinkhout Crescent in Mbombela have left the area congested and covered with oil. Delivery vehicles, customers and staff of businesses in the area struggle to access their premises as gates are blocked by these cars. Despite the Service Delivery Drive, during which some of these cars on Anderson Street were impounded, most street mechanics have returned and the situation continues. Illegal dumping is still a major problem around Mbombela Stadium, the government village, the KaNyamazane Road, Andrew Street and various other areas. Some residents have taken it upon themselves to clear garbage that is dumped near their homes. The CoM's municipal manager, Wiseman Khumalo, dismissed allegations that municipal by-laws are not effective. ALSO READ: Unkempt pavements and parks leave Mbombela residents gatvol 'Illegal dumping occurs despite designated dumping areas being provided by the municipality. In the areas where we collect waste, such as Mbombela and White River, people illegally dump their garbage on the street. We have placed skips in rural areas which are cleaned on a weekly basis. These are not used, yet people blame the municipality. We do clean up and place signs that say 'No dumping',' he stressed. Concerning the vehicles being repaired on the streets, he said: 'People should stop taking their cars to the street mechanics and rather take them to registered workshops. We attend to the streets where people are fixing cars, but we need members of the public to work with us and this will stop.' He said people must report all these matters to the municipality and they will be attended to. Many residents claim to have reported the matters to the CoM, including sending photos of vehicle registration numbers of persons breaking the by-laws, but no action has resulted. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
18-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
City of Mbombela tackles Gatvol issues, but it's ‘not a one-day job'
While most residents are still gatvol with the City of Mbombela's (CoM) service delivery, some issues have been addressed. The Service Delivery Drive (SDD) was introduced to accelerate the services backlog in the CoM's wards. In Mbombela, residents in certain areas are still waiting for the grass on the roadsides to be cut, the public parks to be cleaned and the trees to be pruned. The CoM's mayor, Sibongile Makushe-Mazibuko, said they have started working in the affected areas in parts of Mbombela. The grass had been cut and some parks cleaned. 'I must emphasise that the CoM has 45 wards to look after and they all need attention. However, we noted the Gatvol outcry and our officials are attending to issues. It's not going to be a one-day job, but we are going to get to every affected area,' she said. ALSO READ: Unkempt pavements and parks leave Mbombela residents gatvol The SDD is currently in Matsulu after completing the work in KaNyamanzane, where municipal workers were held hostage by residents who were demanding a paved road. 'They were released after the police intervention. It shows all wards want to be serviced with our limited resources. All we ask from our people is that they are patient with us. Continue to report issues and they will be attended to,' she said. ALSO READ: Gatvol kick-starts City of Mbombela's Service Delivery Drive Motorists in Mbombela demand the CoM keeps its promises to repair the potholes near Lowveld High School, in front of Laerskool Bergland, and in Sering and Bosch streets, Koraalboom Avenue and parts of Dr Enos Mabuza Drive. These were reported before the SDD and still nothing had been done. Despite changing fittings, streetlights on most key roads are still not working. This includes traffic lights on Anderson Street that have been off for more than a year now. Makushe-Mazibuko reiterated that all the grievances would be addressed if reported to the municipality through the right channels. As always, no timeline was given for when the work would be done and a lack of funds was blamed. She also said its not like the municipality is not delivering any service and the little that it is doing should be appreciated. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
09-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Unkempt pavements and parks leave Mbombela residents gatvol
Residents are still gatvol with the City of Mbombela's (CoM) inability to deliver on their promised Service Delivery Drive (SDD). Overgrown public parks and pavements, unpruned trees and unkempt grass have still not been attended to. Litter is also a major problem and residents fear criminal attacks will increase as a result of uncleared vegetation. Residents of Wilger, Palm, Alibama, Delta and Wolfaard streets, as well as those residing in certain sections of Dr Enos Mabuza Drive, complained that the CoM is ignoring their repeated requests for service delivery. ALSO READ: Local news City of Mbombela in hot water for alleged corruption Despite paying rates and taxes, residents are now banding together to clean their streets themselves. The unused area at the cemetery has deteriorated even further than ever before. Homeless people have moved in, making fires and leaving loads of litter behind. The park at the top of Polvy Street has become dangerous, with people consuming alcohol there and dumping the empty bottles. Despite these complaints, the CoM's municipal manager, Wiseman Khumalo, insists that litter removal, tree pruning and grass clearing are ongoing. ALSO READ: Gatvol kick-starts City of Mbombela's Service Delivery Drive 'Our municipality is servicing 45 wards, some without roads or water. We are aware that the residents complain because they are paying their taxes and rates. We are doing our best to attend to all with limited resources.' He also reiterated that the SDD is accelerating services and all wards are prioritised. According to him streetlights are being repaired and potholes are going to be attended to. 'Grass will not stop growing, but will be attended to. The litter its beyond our control because we have placed dustbins in hotspot areas, but people are ignoring them. We take responsibility to collect them. Our community members need to come on board and stop littering. I must admit that we have been slow in pruning trees, but we are now attending to them. People need to understand that we serve many, not only those in Mbombela. All we ask from residents is to be patient with us,' he said. Khumalo encouraged the CoM's residents to use available platforms to submit their complaints. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
City of Mbombela in hot water for alleged corruption
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been authorised to probe the allegations of maladministration in seven tenders by the City of Mbombela (CoM). President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the new Proclamation 257 of 2025 authorising SIU to investigate these allegations. The proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that occurred between February 16, 2015, and May 2, 2025, as well as any related activities before this period and after the date of the proclamation that are pertinent to the matters under investigation or involve the same persons, entities or contracts. The tenders in question include: The SIU will probe any related unauthorised, irregular, wasteful expenditure incurred by CoM or the state in relation to the following: 1. Tender number PRE/040/14/MP for investigation and legal services. 2. Tender number DHS/112/15/MP relating to the installation of internal municipal civil engineering services, construction of low-cost Reconstruction and Development Programme housing units, and the provision of project management under the Integrated Residential Development Programme at Emjindini extensions 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19. ALSO READ: City of Mbombela's CFO ousted 3. Tender number NLM-TS-003/2015/16 relating to engineering services 4. Construction-related goods and services in respect of the R538 Hazyview to Numbi Gate Turn-off Project. 5. Bid number 26/2015 relating to the appointment of professional consultants for the establishment of the Strategic Programmes and Projects Support Unit for the municipality. 6. Bid number 72/2017 relating to the Turnkey Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management Programme. 7. Tender number 116/2018 relating to the implementation of the construction of Phase 1 of the Nsikazi North Bulk Water Scheme. The SIU investigation will examine whether the procurement and contracting were made in a manner that was not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable or cost-effective, or in violation of applicable legislation, guidelines or instructions from the national or provincial treasury. ALSO READ: Suspended CFO forces her way inside City of Mbombela building City of Mbombela responds The CoM's spokesperson, Joseph Ngala, said the municipality learnt about this investigation through the media statement issued on Monday, May 5. 'However, if you look at the tenders being investigated, only two of the seven were issued by the municipality (six and seven). We won't comment now except to indicate that we take note of the proclamation and will co-operate with the unit charged with this responsibility. The SIU is better placed to expand on this investigation,' he said. Further details of the investigation Furthermore, the SIU will seek to establish if there was any misappropriation of unidentified payments received by the municipality. It will also look at any irregular, unlawful or improper conduct by CoM officials and employees; its suppliers and service providers; or any other person or entity implicated. In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the unit will refer any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action. The unit is also authorised to initiate a civil action in the high court or a special tribunal in its name to address any wrongdoing identified during its investigation resulting from acts of corruption, fraud or maladministration. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
25-04-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Service delivery drive finally reaches KaNyamazane and surrounds
The Service Delivery Drive Campaign (SDD) has moved on to wards 20 and 21 in KaNyamazane and its surrounding areas. The SDD is an initiative of the City of Mbombela (CoM) to deal with service delivery backlogs. According to the CoM's mayor, Cllr Sibongile Makushe-Mazibuko, the work in wards 18 and 19 was completed as per the lists provided by the councillors. 'We are now moving to KaNyamazane, which also needs our serious attention. Our team will ensure all grievances are attended to. Regravelling of Miyanga and Honeybee streets, and the Belladonna section will be prioritised. We are going to patch potholes, paint road markings and install speed bumps and crossings at various locations, including Tiphembeleni Primary School. The storm water drain in Mthunywa Street will be given special attention,' Makushe-Mazibuko said. ALSO READ: Mammoth potholes on R538 in Masoyi lead to crime According to her, illegal dumping hotspots will also be cleared. These include those at Kamyanga, Vulamasango, eNyokeni, Spot 5 and the entrance to Tiphembeleni Primary School. Makushe-Mazibuko promised that once the SDD is completed, municipal officials will continue to bring services to the people. She also said she was aware that there are areas that have not been attended to. 'They are not being ignored and will get the attention they need. I know there are trees in need of pruning and some potholes that need to be repaired. Those reported are going to be fixed. We must also keep in mind that the constant rains are also a challenge, as it keeps damaging our roads.' ALSO READ: City of Mbombela's Service Delivery Drive delayed by rain She reiterated that non-functioning streetlights are being attended to. Residents should report issues to their ward councillors, or directly to the municipality. 'We plead with our residents to be patient with us as we are using limited resources to attend to their needs. Everything cannot be done in one day. I am aware that some roads are dilapidated and need to be rebuilt, but with the limited budget, it's impossible. However, we are going to maintain them,' Makushe-Mazibuko promised. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
