Call to pay rates to assist EMLM
Services must be provided to ensure collection
The Queenstown Civic Ratepayers’ Association is encouraging residents to pay for municipal services to enable Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) to remain functional.
Residents and local businesses owe the municipality millions for rates and services.
However, ratepayers’ association chairperson, Aloisius Alexander, also urges the municipality to be cautious by making sure residents receive the services they pay for.
Failure to do so could result in residents refusing to pay for rates.
“The ratepayers’ association does not encourage people to not pay their accounts,” Alexander said.
“We advise them to rather pay so the municipality receives the revenue due to it.
“This is to avoid issues where if the municipality is taken to court by the residents and municipal officials say the residents did not pay for the services, therefore they could not deliver services.
“We ask people not to withhold funds, as frustrating as it might be.”
He said he also believed the municipality could be more efficient by making use of local businesses.
However, there seemed to be no handshake relationship between the authority and the private sector which, Alexander said, was also a systematic failure.
“If a refuse truck broke down, it would be nice if the municipality would inform business people and inform them on the state of affairs.
“I am sure businesses would offer assistance to repair trucks for them, with arrangements to settle the account at a later stage. We see business people assisting with cleaning up the rubbish in the town.”
Christo Theart, from The Centre for Local Community Rights (CLCR), who was in Komani to engage with the Queenstown Civic Ratepayers’ Association members, said municipalities must provide the services residents paid for.
CLCR is a non-profit organisation based in East London that plays a role in ensuring the rights of local communities are protected.
“If there is no service delivery people must account.
“Residents must make sure, even if it is by means of a court order.
“If the municipality says from tomorrow the town will buy new trucks and collect the rubbish and sort out their landfill site ... if they do that, who needs to take court action?”Theart asked.