Many residents of Ward 61 are fast realizing, that Ward Councillor, Naeem Patel has many times been hoodwinking residents, with false or misleading posts on selected social media platforms concerning service delivery in the area.
Furthermore, Patel is even accused of ‘cutting and pasting’ reports of Council, or even normal reports from officials to all Councillors, then posting same as if the reports were a consequence, solely of his enquiry. This follows residents in Laudium complaining of Patel’s posts concerning the opening of the Laudium public pools on Sept 1, the beginning of the Spring season. In Patel’s post this past Monday (Sept 1), Patel states, “Rand Water has given the green light for Tshwane’s swimming pools to re-open. All 23 Municipal pools, including ours, are expected to open by September 15th.” But, Patel or his so called ‘puppet Ward Committee members’ did not tell the community that the main reason for all the swimming pools not opening on Monday (Sept 1), was that the entity that got a tender from the ANC-led Tshwane Council, did not deliver the necessary pool chemicals to all the swimming pools in Tshwane. Furthermore Patel misled the community by not informing them that the ANC-led Tshwane Council will be opening the Sunnyside, Mamelodi East and Mamelodi West, Danville, Saulsville and Atteridgeville swimming pools by today (Friday, Sept 5), but that Laudium was not on the list for this first phase of openings. No explanation was given by Patel or his Ward Committee members as to why Laudium residents, as a previously disadvantaged community, were excluded from enjoying the facilities of the public pool from Sept 1, or even from this weekend, more so as Patel posted about three weeks back (August 13), that he met with the director responsible overseeing the Municipal pool in Laudium, and that preparations to open the Laudium swimming pools had already commenced for opening on Sept 1, which was only subject to Rand Water lifting the water restrictions, which restrictions have since been lifted. This raises once more, the question from residents, as to when Patel and his Ward Committee members will stop, misleading or being untruthful to the community, concerning service delivery in the area.
Disappointment
Many residents, this week told the Laudium Sun that they are frustrated and can’t understand why the Laudium Swimming Pool is still closed, even though it was supposed to re-open on September 1 for the Spring season, as per Patel’s post on August 13.
Johnathan Naidoo, a resident of Crimson Street, told the Laudium Sun, “The Laudium Swimming Pool was supposed to open on September 1, but there has been no movement from the Tshwane Council Department to make the facility available for residents. This is really poor management, as there always seem to be problems. The Tshwane Council had the entire winter to carry out maintenance, yet every time we ask, the guys at the pool say it is still under renovation. It’s not an Olympic-size pool that requires year-round maintenance. The staff are very arrogant and dismissive when we ask questions and it seems they receive full salaries while doing little. This issue needs to be addressed immediately and our community leaders must intervene. Laudium needs recreational facilities and the swimming pool is the only source of recreation in the area.”
Theshalia Padiachy, another resident of Crimson Street, told the Laudium Sun, “The swimming pool was supposed to open on Monday (Sep 1), but it seems there are always problems whenever they try to re-open in the summer. I think the swimming pool needs a new manager, not someone from the Council… someone with good leadership to properly maintain the facility. We are really tired of the constant excuses and recurring issues. Additionally, I want to send a message to the Laudium Swimming Pool through the Laudium Sun, when the pool reopens to the public, they must implement rules requiring children under 18 to be accompanied by their parents. A lot of bad incidents have occurred at the pool, and we don’t want our children to be at risk. Parents must accompany minors to ensure their safety.”
Manu Nathalal, also of Crimson Street, told the Laudium Sun, Laudium Swimming Pool always has problems whenever it’s supposed to be available to residents during the summer. The pool was meant to re-open on September 1, but as usual, the facility remains inactive and the staff always claim it is under renovation. We are now really tired of all these excuses. They must have the courage to admit if they do not want to work but still expect a full salary.”
The staff at the Laudium Swimming Pool refused to comment when the Laudium Sun team visited the site.