Petition to the City Manager, Dr Imogen Mashazi, Opposing the "STOLEN SERVICE CONNECTION CABLES PROCEDURE"

Dear City Manager of the City of Ekurhuleni, Dr Imogen Mashazi

We, the LamDel Residents Association, as the recognised and official RA representing the wards of Germiston as named herein, as well as the residents and businesses of ward 39, ward 35, and others signatures herein, hereby express our vehement opposition to the "STOLEN SERVICE CONNECTION CABLES PROCEDURE" recently circulated by the City of Ekurhuleni and mplemented in Germiston.

We petition the City Manager of the City of Ekurhuleni, Dr Imogen Mashazi, to immediately halt the implementation of the "STOLEN SERVICE CONNECTION CABLES PROCEDURE", as detailed in the memorandum circulated by the Head of Department for Energy, Mr. Tshilidzi Thenga.

This petition is a collective effort to voice our deep concerns and dissatisfaction with the procedure for the following reasons:

1. **Lack of Transparency:** The procedure lacks transparency in its methodology for determining charges imposed on residents in the case of stolen service connection cables. We believe in fairness and transparency in all municipal proceedings and public participation.

2. **Unfair Cost Allocation:** The proposed procedure unfairly places the financial burden solely on the affected residents, ignoring the responsibility of securing the infrastructure and protecting residents' interests by the City of Ekurhuleni, EMPD, SAPS.

3. **Absence of Preventive Measures:** Instead of focusing on preventive measures to curb cable theft, the procedure emphasises punitive actions that do not address the root cause of the issue.  Thereby ensuring that the crime continues and criminals are getting away with cable theft.

4. **Impact on Vulnerable Residents:** Imposing charges on economically vulnerable residents for cable theft exacerbates their financial difficulties and places an undue burden on them.

5. **Unrealistic Process:** The proposed process for reporting theft incidents, making payments, and obtaining service restoration is unrealistic and disregards the challenges faced by elderly, frail, disabled, or transportation-disadvantaged residents.

6. **Unacceptable Turnaround Time:** The proposed 7 to 14-day turnaround time for service restoration is unacceptable and poses safety, security, and financial risks to residents.  It is also in contradiction to the CoE's own published service delivery standards.

7. **Corruption Risks:** The potential for corruption within this procedure is concerning, leaving room for exploitation of desperate residents and contractors benefiting from cable replacements.  

8. **Safety Implications:** Residents will resort to using private individuals to replace cables at a cheaper cost, this will result in poor quality material and workmanship being used and could cause secondary damages to homes and other council infrastructure and increased safety risks.

We petition the City Manager of the City of Ekurhuleni Dr Imogen Mashazi to stop this procedure and engage with the community in an open and transparent manner. With this petition we demand:

1. The immediate halt of the implementation of the "STOLEN SERVICE CONNECTION CABLES PROCEDURE."
2. To provide insight and a detailed explanation of the methodology used to determine the cause, reason and purpose of this procedure as well as the charges therein, the minutes of Energy and Finance oversight committee meetings and Council Sessions where this was tabled and approved.
3. To provide a complete and transparent report on the public engagement process followed and the documented outcomes of this.
4. To provide the review of the procedure within the Energy By-Laws, with the exact and clear references and instructions.
5. To provide insights into whether the procedure was outlined in the latest budget document and the financial study supporting the proposed fees for budgetary approval.
6. To define and implement a comprehensive strategy that includes preventive measures to address cable theft.

We believe that our concerns and objections should be taken into account when making decisions that impact our community.  

We stand united against the proposed procedure and request a swift response from the City of Ekurhuleni that addresses our concerns and leads to a fair and just resolution.  Until such time this unfair and unjust procedure must be halted immediately.

Sincerely, Jakkie Janse van Vuuren, Chairperson of LamDel Residents Association, on behalf of the concerned residents of LamDel,  and all other surrounding wards.

By signing this petition I the person signing, understand and acknowledge that;

• Identification numbers serve as a means of verifying the authenticity of a real individual.
• By adding my signature to this petition, I grant permission to the LamDel Residents Association to officially represent me and submit my personal information. This enables me to have a voice in the matter.

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