DYSFUNCTIONAL KOUGA MUNICIPALITY & SAPS

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCER:

THE MUNICIPAL MANAGER KOUGA MUNICIPALITY ELECTRICITY DEPARTMENT JEFFREY’S BAY

Dear Mr du Plessis

FORMAL COMPLAINT

MUNICIPAL CABLE THEFT AND DAMAGE TO TRANFORMER

On the 30th of March 2023, we reported in writing electrical cable theft and damage to a municipal transformer. We also reported this serious crime to the SAPD in Humansdorp on the same day. On the same day we received an email from the electricity department’s head, stating that they take notice and that it will be investigated. The head of finance was also informed by the head of electricity.

On the 15th of May 2023, another email with a photo attachment of the damaged transformer was directed to your electricity department and other email addresses at Kouga Municipality, including sdaniesl@kouga.gov.za

On the 17th of May 2023 we received an email from the head of the electricity department, to which our email dated 30th March 2023 was directed, and who rep**** that the matter will be investigated, now categorically stated that, that was the first time that he was informed about the incident and that it will have to be investigated further. This was now six weeks after the incident was reported and on the same day, 17th May 2023, we sent another email to the head of the electricity department and included various other email addresses as well as your email address at cduplessis@kouga.gov.za as well as sdaniels@kouga.gov.za

On the 18th of May 2023, a Mr. Mangembe and another employee inspected the area and agreed with us that somebody was either killed or seriously injured on the scene. I requested an explanation from Mr Mangembe in writing as to the reason why this incident was only inspected six weeks after it was reported in writing. He assured me that he will provide us with such a letter, but to date, we haven’t heard anything from either Mr. Mangembe or any other department and or management from Kouga Municipality.

Nine weeks after the incident occurred ,where cable theft, a serious crime, has been committed and a transformer was damaged beyond repair and a death or serious injury might have been the result of this incident, we are still being billed for the basic electricity charge at this point, however no electricity could have been supp**** during this period.

It boggles the mind that management and personnel of Kouga Municipality treats a client and a taxpayer in this manner. Be that as it may, the SAPD has only this week provided us with a case number for this serious crime, but has not investigated or visited the scene at all. It is therefor obvious that our municipality and our law enforcement in the Kouga municipal area are not only dysfunctional, but seriously ***********.

We are used to the fact that management of this municipality regard them as superior to the ordinary taxpayer and as in the past, we are confident that we will receive no response from management at all. As far as SAPs is concerned, it is a disgrace that serious crimes are handled in this haphazard manner.

Trust, you have a nice day.

Yours faithfully

Rob Malan