During the discussions the sad state of the services billing systems was also discussed, and it became evident that the accounts are posted out on time by the municipality, but the postal services were pointed out as being the culprit by the municipality. The EBA pointed out again the dysfunctionality of the actual accounts which are fluctuating month by month causing untold chaos with residents’ finances and budgets. The municipality also welcomed any persons with billing problems to come to the municipality so that the problems can be sorted out. It is vital though that the evidence in the form of accounts and payments to prove the dispute be brought with by the people complaining. The Municipal Call Center also came under fire during the discussions as being am ineffective and dysfunctional system that has raised the anger of the community. EBA however believes that the residents do not fully understand the function of the Call Center and that the staff is being held responsible for functions which are not their responsibility. The call center is not the technician working on the problem and it is most times impossible for the call center to report back on the solution for the problem because that is not their function as they are not at the site of the technical problem but act only as the go-between with the public and the technicians on the ground. The system leads the public to believe that the call center is a cure all for all problems and become very angry when the problems are not immediately dealt with. The EBA requested the Msukaligwa Municipality to urgently find another way in which to communicate with the public as there are too many instances of lack of communication on issues plaguing the municipality. Residents are requested by the EBA to remain calm and to desist from taking their anger out on the staff at the call center as they are not the technicians who are working on the problem. The Msukaligwa Municipality undertook to find an easier system of communication with the public. The general state of dirtiness of the town and state of the roads especially was also discussed, and the situation does not appear to have any real solution in the near future as lack of finances within the municipality has become a major stumbling block in this regard. Illegal dumping by residents is a major concern and residents are warned that dumping on sidewalks is illegal. The EBA requests to desist from these activities and urges residents to point out who is doing the illegal dumping so that the problem can be dealt with effectively. Msukaligwa is however very concerned that residents are placing their household refuse on the streets at odd times even although they know that there is a scheduled pick-up of refuse. This is leading to a lot of rubbish on the streets which is unnecessary. EBA points out that the are not many concrete plans on the table to end the problems with the Msukaligwa Municipality but that they have urged the municipality to open up channels of communication with the public and although there had been massive mistrust built up by successive leaders at Msukaligwa who had developed a very destructive and bad track record of interaction with private sector, that this could be ended if the municipality decided to work together with private sector organisations like EBA. EBA went into detail about what the cost has been to Msukaligwa and the self-imposed isolation from all assistance by the public by refusing to communicate and to work together with the private sector at their own peril. Athol Stark

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