Gauteng Government continues to engage communities to resolve service delivery concerns
MEC for Human Settlements and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Jacob Mamabolo continues to meet aggrieved communities in various metros and municipalities to find peaceful solutions to address concerns over access to basic services in the province. This is part of a major intervention plan by the new provincial administration to work closer with all aggrieved communities in underserviced areas to peacefully resolve service delivery concerns.
Gauteng is experiencing serious population and resource pressures as a result of a high in-migration rate of poor households to the province in search of job opportunities and a better life. Once in the province, most of these poor households settle in the ever sprawling informal settlements, further raising demands for formal housing and basic services such as water and electricity.
These weekend MEC Mamabolo, joined by the leadership of Lesedi and Emfuleni municipality led by Executive Mayor Councillor Lerato Maloka, Executive Mayor Greta Hlongwane with the communities of Vichuil and Boiketlong.
Interventions for the community of Vischuil will include construction of the main road and internal roads, housing for 2 000 households, local employment, grass cutting, sanitation, graveyard improvements, as well as provision of emergency services. Service delivery interventions plans for Boiketlong include provision of water and sanitation, electricity, roads and housing.
“Gauteng has unique challenges. Our resources are overstretched and concerns of access to basic services are an ever growing challenge which will require a huge investment in constructive dialogue with all affected communities. We also call upon the people of the province to understand the magnitude of the problem and to work with us to resolve these problems peacefully instead of embarking on violent and destructive protest actions,” commented MEC Mamabolo.
The Gauteng Provincial Government has already engaged and received enormous cooperation from many community leaders in areas that were previously regarded as hot-spots and ravaged by violent public protests such as Bekkersdal, Zithobeni, Winterveld, Freedom Park, Boiketlong, Sharpville, Sebokeng and many others.
“We are bringing urgent temporary relieve in these communities while also working jointly with municipalities and other stakeholders such as Eskom and Rand Water to explorer long-term solutions.”
MEC Mamabolo also commended the community of Thembelihle for suspending their violent public protest action which started during the week. MEC Mamabolo called on all aggrieved Gauteng communities leaders to choose peaceful dialogue over violence: “Our doors are flung wide open for any meaningful and genuine engagement. Communities should always insist on democratic, open and frank consultation with government before embarking on public protests.”
For more information:
Victor Moreriane
Cell: 079 529 5836
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
