Dear Madam Speaker Cllr Dolly Govender and Mr. Nhlanhla Mdakane, Municipal Manager:
We are compelled to express our deep disappointment and frustration through this open letter due to the municipality’s persistent unresponsiveness and disregard for community needs. As you have acknowledged, there exists a legal and moral obligation to engage, consult, and solicit feedback from the KwaDukuza community, as stipulated in the Municipal Systems Act and the Municipal Finance Management Act. Our concerns are as follows:
Ward Committees
Ward committees in KwaDukuza are largely dysfunctional, with few exceptions. Monthly meetings rarely occur, and when they do, they often devolve into political party gatherings. The lack of oversight enables fabricated minutes and reports, while public meetings are frequently cancelled or used as political platforms.
Imbizos and Structured Engagement
The recent postponement of IDP and Budget Imbizos, without a reason, underscores the municipality’s failure to engage with the community. This engagement represents one of the most important statutory interactions of the year and to postpone with no legitimate reason is an insult to Dolphin Coast residents. Furthermore, notice of many other meetings is often last-minute, and presentations leave little time for questions, hindering meaningful engagement.
DOCRRA Quarterly Meetings
Despite commitments made, these meetings are frequently cancelled or postponed, with only one meeting held this year. Matters arising from previous meetings are neglected, and follow-up meetings are not convened. At times, executive directors or other key individuals have not made themselves available for these meetings despite dates being set weeks in advance.
Personal Commitments and PAIA Requests
Commitments to open-door policies, feedback, and responding to specific issues are ignored, eroding any expectation of transparency and trust with the community. PAIA requests are rarely complied with, and irrelevant information is provided when they are. We will continue to press for answers and responses, and we will not be brushed aside.
As a recognised stakeholder organisation, DOCRRA can no longer tolerate this non-compliance with our constitutional rights, legislative requirements, and basic management processes. As days and weeks pass with no clear leadership and oversight, the needs of the community go unanswered. We demand a drastic and timeous change in approach by KDM. If no change is forthcoming, we will have no choice but to escalate these failures to the appropriate governmental oversight structures, across all relevant media platforms, and further mobilise the community until the situation is remedied.
We urge you to take immediate action to address these concerns and ensure meaningful engagement with the KwaDukuza community.
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