Times Of Swaziland: VISION 2022-A FARFETCHED  DREAM FOR PIGG’S PEAK

VISION 2022-A FARFETCHED  DREAM FOR PIGG’S PEAK
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The Editor on 13/10/2017 00:10:00


Sir,
I write to note the advancements made in the country to live up to the King’s
dream of achieving first world status by the year 2022. The infrastructure is
right on track; Ezulwini boasts of a hive of activity, Mbabane is also refusing
to be left behind. I even spied on the Manzini proposed road interchange that
will make the nightmarish drive into the hub a thing of the past.
However, the right hand seems not to know what the left is doing as there seems
to be a huge gulf in development in the other municipalities. Pigg’s Peak, for
one, blows both hot and cold, vacillating between the archaic past,
simultaneously peeping into the future with its road works that are marvelously
carried out at a great speed. Right in the centre of the town, near the police
station is a five year old building that should have never been allowed to be
built with the development dream in mind! The miniature structures grab prime
land at ransom, setting the pace, so to speak. With only petty cash one should
not have been allowed to use it for structural purposes but either donate it to
Red Cross or approach the existing financial institutions for further expansion
capital, using the land and petty cash for collateral.
Just below this modern slum described above is the typical ancient
‘mkhukhus’ that house the barbers, watchmakers, and probably bedrooms for
some plus some vehicle tinkering next door and then residences in the mix.
The Town Council hesitantly makes inspections and sheepishly issues out
certificates of compliance to some, where the bellicose threaten the officers
away, especially the scrapyard owners. A few weeks earlier the Town Council
inspection revealed a central town shop with a dual purpose of a bedroom by
night and shop by day, not the only one by any means but the one caught with the
smoking gun.
Right at the centre of the modern village Glen are the chicken farmers, swarmed
by hordes of loose chickens, led by the noisy roosters which notoriously crow
from the wee hours of the morning making sleep a daily nightmare. Any attempts
by residents to make a small vegetable garden is thwarted by the hungry birds
appetite.
Also, within the Glen residences is the age old car wash, imagine! A residential
place is normally for rest, peace and tranquil, not a business hovered by
strangers and thugs pretending to be customers, not to mention the din of the
humming hoovers and rogue staff noises as they go about doing their business
with their clients’ cars.
Now it is election time, Pigg’s Peak populace will once again have the
intermittent partying sponsored by the hungry dregs of society as they use the
age old trick of money, meat and beers to garner votes, and then masquerade as
councilors for the next five years while the town residents dodge chicken and
car washers. All thanks to the E10 million allocation to this small town by the
central government.
I think it is high time the resident woke up and smelt the coffee, people must
elect with their heads, choose leaders with a vision and these should be
responsible citizens that share a common goal about the future.
Disappointed John
RIGHT TO REPLY
As a local authority we appreciate the concerns raised by the writer and
Council’s response is as follows;
COMMENT 1 - Right in the centre of the town, near the police station is a
five-year old building that should have never been allowed to be built with the
development dream in mind!
ANSWER; Council is currently reviewing its’ Town Planning Scheme in the course
of preparation, which consists of four interrelated documents that will ensure
that development within the urban area takes place in a planned and coordinated
manner.  At this stage, we are awaiting presentation of final draft of Scheme to
stakeholders by consultant and thereafter it will be submitted to our parent
Ministry for comments.  Once the Town Planning Scheme has been approved, it will
address this concern, as raised by the writer. Additional information on this
project, can be sourced from Council’s website, under Strategic initiatives.
COMMENT 2 - Just below this modern slum described above is the typical ancient
‘mkhukhus’ that house the barbers, watchmakers, and probably bedrooms for
some plus some vehicle tinkering next door and then residences in the mix.
ANSWER; These uses have been in existence since time immemorial, however, the
Engineering Department in February 2017, engaged the owners of the plots used by
illegal mechanics, watch makers and etc, advising them to relocate these uses to
the industrial site, since this area is zoned for such uses. It must be noted
that during this meeting, Council and the plot owners agreed that these
‘operators’ be given eight months grace period, ending in October 2017 to
relocate. Therefore, we can report that they have identified a suitable site at
the industrial area where they will conduct business.
COMMENT 3 - The Town Council hesitantly makes inspections and sheepishly issues
out certificates of compliance to some, where the bellicose threaten the
officers away, especially the scrapyard owners. A few weeks earlier the Town
Council inspection revealed a central town shop with a dual purpose of a bedroom
by night and shop by day, not the only one by any means but the one caught with
the smoking gun.
ANSWER; Council religiously (yearly to be precise) conducts inspections of all
retail outlets or premises (stores, restaurants, butcheries and bakeries)
involved in the handling and selling of food to the public around town, to
ensure compliance with legislative requirements (Public Health Act, 1969 and
Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations, 1973). This is done in order to
safeguard the health of the consumers by preventing food poisoning and
food-borne diseases. It is for this reason that in March 2017, the Environment
and Public Health department of Pigg’s Peak Town Council, successfully
concluded this exercise and as a result, those establishments which were
non-compliant were closed.
COMMENT 4 - Now it is election time, Pigg’s Peak populace will once again have
the intermittent partying sponsored by the hungry dregs of society as they use
the age old trick of money, meat and beers to garner votes, and then masquerade
as souncillors for the next five years while the town residents dodge chicken
and car washers.
ANSWER; Our parent ministry has been conducting civic education over the past
few months, in all the towns, as a build up to local government elections for
2017; therefore, we hope registered voters will vote for people of good standing
in society, capable of making meaningful development in all the towns. Please
note that the Urban Government (Elections) Regulations, 1969 state any person
who engages in the corrupt practices stated by the writer, is guilty and liable
for conviction.
Mzwandile  Ndzinisa
CEO / Town Clerk