It is clearly evident from the fourth-quarter report (April to June) that the outreach programme of the Ekurhuleni Metro’s Mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, is just for show and an expensive exercise funded by taxpayers’ money.
Although the programme is marketed as an effort to bring government closer to the people, it is actually no more than speeches, photo opportunities and ceremonial visits.
The report itself exposes the truth. More than a third of the commitments made by departments remain unfulfilled, and much of the so-called progress boils down to delays, excuses and procrastination.
The outreach programme was meant to give residents direct access to the Mayor and his committee, but in practice, it is just a string of unfulfilled undertakings.
Issues raised by residents are repeatedly deferred, transferred from one department to another or simply abandoned when officials fail to act.
Instead of empowering communities, the programme has left them frustrated over broken promises.
The most damning aspect is that the same problems arise quarter after quarter.
Departments such as Human Settlements and Roads and Transport are the biggest culprits when it comes to unfulfilled obligations, while excuses such as “budget constraints” and “equipment shortages” are used to cover up poor planning and inadequate oversight.
The Department of Human Settlements, for instance, made a total of 25 commitments to the community, but only one has been executed, six are underway and 18 remain unfulfilled.
The Freedom Front Plus believes that effective outreach requires far more than community meetings and glossy reports. It requires implementation, accountability and measurable outcomes. Residents want decent roads, reliable services, housing solutions and faster response times – not political theatrics.
The Mayor should abandon his so-called outreach programme and, instead, establish a transparent mechanism to ensure the Metro fulfils its obligations to residents.
Communities should not have to wait endlessly for services they have already paid for. Nor do they deserve to be used as a backdrop for political campaigns.
Ekurhuleni deserves leadership that listens and delivers results.
The Freedom Front Plus will keep holding the Metro accountable until residents see tangible results and not just orchestrated theatrical performances.
