Members of the Grahamstown business community on Thursday 17 October were clearly frustrated at the lack of engagement by the Mayor and municipal manager with their concerns.
Members of the Grahamstown business community on Thursday 17 October were clearly frustrated at the lack of engagement by the Mayor and municipal manager with their concerns.
The Makana United Business Chamber called a meeting where they discussed issues affecting the Grahamstown business community. Eugene Repinz, discussing the purpose of the meeting, said when they established the Chamber they had wanted it to be the point of contact between Makana municipality and the business community.
"We drew up a memorandum of understanding which would be that point of contact and the Municipal Manager said the chamber should be launched in order for him to sign it.
"After the launch the document has not yet been signed yet. Our requests fall of deaf ears," Repinz said. "There is still no response from Makana. That is why we are here today, to discuss a way forward."
Another businessman, Lungile Mxube, said they were concerned about the current state of the city.
"That is why we are here today, to discuss solutions on how we can hold them accountable. We are really concerned about the water crisis and incompetent staff in this municipality who are just cheque-collectors.
"We sent them the open letter and also forwarded it to the Premier but there was not response," said Mxube.
He said when Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet was in Grahamstown she acted as if she hadn't received the open letter from the Chamber. During discussions on Thursday night, among the resolutions was that a letter to the public protector must be written, urging her to investigate the issues discussed; that legal advice should be sought and that the chamber should conduct road shows to mobilise more business people and residents.
Attempts to get comment from municipal spokesperson Mncedisi Boma were unsuccessful.
Read next Friday's edition of Grocott's Mail to find out more about the meeting.
