25 July 2007
Gauteng Local Government MEC Qedani Dorothy Mahlangu has called on
communities to use peaceful means when raising their legitimate grievances
rather than to resort to violence.
Addressing the Gauteng Housing Summit themed: 'Building a Global City Region
Through Human Settlement Beyond 2009' in Boksburg on Wednesday, MEC Mahlangu
said most of the protests were well orchestrated by individuals or groups who
were aware of government plans to develop their townships, but were wanting to
sow division in communities.
She said the recent spate of protests, occurring mainly in informal
settlements were a cause for concern.
"These protests occur mainly in the most under-developed settlements and
issues that characterise these protests include lack of housing, electricity,
sanitation, clean water, allegations of corruption, resistance to relocate from
invaded land which is sometimes dolomitic, quality of houses, evictions and to
some extent the size of the houses."
"It is worrying that these protests have been characterised by unprecedented
violence. Organisations leading these protests have targeted informal
settlements such as Orange Farm, Vlakfontein, Hospital Hill, Freedom Park,
Thembelihle, Eikenhof, Slovo Park and recently Kliptown," she said.
"The question we need to ask about these protests is why now? Are they
frustrated at the slow pace of delivery? Is it the work of agitators? Or is it
because of ineffective councillors? Or is it because of lack of communication
by government?"
"Are these grievances genuine? Or is it because of ineffective public
participation channels? Or because of the impact of unemployment and poverty or
maybe the preparation by opposition parties for the 2009 Elections?" said the
MEC.
Mahlangu said results of the bi-annual Customer Satisfaction Survey (CSS)
revealed that Gauteng citizens in informal settlements were more likely to
recognise that local government had improved over the past ten years.
They were also more likely to be extremely satisfied with municipalities
than the rest of the population. "And informal dwellers as a whole are more
likely to have engaged with local government through ward meetings. It's not as
if they have not been given an opportunity to voice their concerns, but actual
delivery on promises made is lacking and patience appears to be running
thin."
Mahlangu said there was a need to raise awareness of local government
through structures and organisations. Key to that is the integrated development
plan which is intended to provide an interaction platform with citizens.
"Awareness of mayors also shows room for improvement. Satisfaction ratings
for mayors are closely linked to overall satisfaction ratings within respective
municipalities. As with mayors, satisfaction ratings with councillors are
closely aligned to satisfaction with overall service delivery. Awareness of
councillors' roles and responsibilities show high 'don't know' responses
throughout and need to be addressed and further interpreted by clients,"
Mahlangu added.
Housing MEC Nomvula Mokonyane said while they acknowledged that some of the
protests may have been legitimate, it is worrying that these take place even
where development is happening. "We know that some residents have been waiting
patiently for delivery of services, but we are also aware that a few
individuals within these communities are exploiting the situation for their own
selfish interests," said Mokonyane.
"The assurance that we give our people is that if delivery has not happened
in your area it will soon happen as it did in other areas where people waited
patiently. We are also coming to your community. What we humbly ask of our
people is co-operation and understanding as we strive to deliver on our
mandate."
For more information contact:
Themba Sepotokele
Local Government
Cell: 082 490 9869
Mandla Sidu
Housing
Cell: 083 602 6169
Issued by: Department of Local Government and Department of Housing, Gauteng
Provincial Government
25 July 2007
