During a Council meeting held on Wednesday 25 July 2018 in Hermanus’ banqueting hall, Executive Mayor Ald Dudley Coetzee delivered his state of the municipal address.
The Mayor’s speech, is published below:
Overstrand community is hard hit by the downward turn in the economy, the drought and especially the recent civil unrest action – the effect of which is visible.
For the municipality and the wider community, including businesses, the last number of months have been challenging and we have faced many trials in our efforts to provide services to all.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who offered and is still offering help – from the supply of meals for the police and law enforcement agencies and to residents in Zwelihle to community members who are serving at restaurants, also those picking up garbage and assisting the elderly. All these efforts are doing much to assist business to remain open.
For the more than 22 000 residents of Zwelihle, including our councillors residing there, whose daily existence has been marred by the threat to their lives and an impediment of movement, we are especially thankful to people such as you, who are collectively geared towards finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the crisis at hand.
We are also very aware that our public safety and law enforcement officers are at great risk protecting us and to ensure that Zwelihle becomes safe again. The regular patrols and permanent SAPS presence in Zwelihle is having a positive effect and will remain in place to “normalise” the situation.
We would like to acknowledge the role of co-operative governance by thanking the National, Provincial and local politicians and councillors; every division of the Police, the various Disaster Management departments and the Provincial Traffic departments, Church and Community leaders, as well as organisations, our business community and our own municipal law enforcement, traffic officers and officials for their dedication and hard work during long hours.
We have already commenced with clean-up operations in Zwelihle.
We are also most appreciative that the National Minister of Police Bheki Cele and the Western Cape Premier Helen Zille, as well as MPL Masizoli Mnqanesa, have taken time out of their busy schedules to engage with us to ensure a favourable and stable outcome.
It is however with regret and utter sadness that I have to inform you that the damage to the municipality’s property, following the civil unrest actions amount to an estimated R39 781 590,00 and is made up of the following:
Zwelihle Satellite Police Station: 1 345 126
Zwelihle Library
5 828 880
Zwelihle Taxi Rank
1 452 000
Zwelihle Informal Trading Stalls
446 770
Zwelihle New Housing Development
1 751 788
Zwelihle/Mount Pleasant Swimming Pool
1 931 647
Housing Offices
6 277 255
Hermanus Sewer Plant
40 000
Fence along Schulphoek Road
399 833
Transfer Station
12 808 291
Recycle Plant
7 5000 000
TOTAL
39 781 590
This figure excludes costs to repair infrastructure such as roads and pavements. The cost of the security company contracted to protect strategic Municipal infrastructure, such as the Municipal Offices and the sewerage purification works during this time amounts to approximately R1,7M.
Overstrand was one of the leading municipalities in the country as far as refuse recycling is concerned. As a result of the criminal activities outlined above, we had to cease our recycling program for the time being. No recycling can take place resulting in job losses and the recycle swop shops, which benefitted our children, have now become redundant.
What sense does it make to vandalise stalls at the taxi rank and shops in Swartdam Road where entrepreneurs from Zwelihle try to make a living?
We sincerely hope that yesterday’s visit of the National Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele will bear fruit.
I am mindful of the call by the Minister of Police for engagements with all concerned –
I however want to state it categorically that the municipality will not engage with people who take part in criminal activities, nor will we engage before law and order has been restored and the situation in Zwelihle has normalised. All stakeholders must respect the offices of the democratically elected councillors. We should contest our political differences at the ballot box and once we have done that, we should all work together for the benefit and betterment of our communities.
We have already commenced with the design of a plan to rebuild the reputation of the Cape Whale Coast as a preferred destination and we will consult with the affected parties. We accept the challenges of going beyond the restoration of normality.
Now, more than ever, we need to work towards finding solutions for the challenges facing us, especially the housing issues – bearing in mind that there is no quick fix.
It is a long road ahead, but we do believe in our communities and towns – we have to get back our hope. From hereon let it once again be a case of ‘All hands on deck’ so that together we can all play our part in bringing normality back to Zwelihle, Hermanus and the Overstrand in general.
