Durban - Msunduzi Municipality deputy mayor Mxolisi Mkhize has urged residents to protect municipal infrastructure.
Mkhize was speaking during a committee meeting on Wednesday. The meeting was to introduce a contractor who will upgrade a 1km access road at Nhlazatshe location, in Edendale Township.
He acknowledged that the municipality had not moved with the desired speed in rolling out infrastructure in Pietermaritzburg, but stressed they were working at improving on their performance.
He said the municipality remained committed to building better neighbourhoods and improving accessibility for communities.
The deputy mayor also pleaded with communities to safeguard the infrastructure provided so that it lasts for a long period.
“We appeal to the residents to adopt a culture of safeguarding their infrastructure and protecting it from vandalism and theft,” he said.
The deputy mayor lamented what they had seen in recent times when inspecting the condition of the municipality’s infrastructure across wards in Pietermaritzburg.
“When the drains are blocked by the nappies and other foreign objects that residents throw in them we will be unable to prevent flooding and damage to our roads,” the deputy mayor said.
He also condemned the theft of water safety valves and other equipment which he said resulted in huge water losses.
Mkhize, who is also the infrastructure portfolio committee chairperson at the municipality, urged ward councillors to convene community meetings to update residents on the decisions taken at council and how they impact on their lives.
He concluded by urging residents to apply for indigent status in order to claim the free basic services if they qualified.