1. Hon. members, it is important to appreciate Hon. MEC Hlomuka, as one of those who is responsive with action whenever called upon.
2. Given this comprehensive report and recurrent local disasters the following are observable after much fighting:
   • Improved communication to residents
   • More coordinated disaster response

     What remains lacking are:

   • Strengthened governance structures like ratepayers organisations
   • Fast tracking of slum clearance
3. Burning issues remain water and electricity, prolonged outages bordering human rights violations.
4. What must be stopped is:
   • Rubber bulleting protestors in a discriminatory manner for basic human needs
   • Demolishing structures considered illegal without exhausting all legal measures to negotiate these matters.
   • Hurting religious sentiments by intending to bulldoze a heritage temple site between Pemilton and Shannon Drive, Reservoir Hills.
5. Hon. members, assurance has been given by officials that transit camps are temporary.
6. Hon. MEC, can this Hon. House have a report on deadlines to clear the growing number of transit camps in eThekwini.
7. The MF welcomes the improved audit outcomes by a few municipalities. This shows that we do have the “political will” to ensure service delivery.
8. Other municipalities need to understand the extreme frustration of rate-payers and start meeting deadlines to complete roadworks, revitalise city centres, like eThekwini and towns like Estcourt, cover potholes, cut- grass, remove rubble and litter.
9. A dam that needs inclusion in the Accelerated Water Programme must be the Hazelmere. I visited the area this weekend and residents stated that the sluice gates were opened which flooded homes, schools and businesses with sludge. Sediment had reached window levels. The 100-meter safety floodline for buildings or structures must be strictly implemented.
10. Hon. MEC, local government must show dredging as a separate line-item. We must be serious on canalisation. Dredging experts have to be employed.
11. As areas dry up, litter thrown out by rivers decorate the banks, please get all river banks cleaned. This plastic litter must not suffocate our river systems. Claim this from National Treasury as a river clean up project post floods.
12. Housing must be only done by Human Settlements as local government has to focus on identifying land and infrastructure development.
13. Finally, Hon. MEC, please initiate the setting up of a comprehensive disaster management unit in all municipalities to respond effectively to climate change, illegal immigrants, terrorism, civil strife’s and other unforeseen happenings.
14. Always remember citizens expect government to keep them safe.
15. The Minority Front supports this R1, 8 billion budget for 2022/2023.
16. Thank you.

Hon. S. Thakur- Rajbansi