The DA in Victor Khanye has called upon the municipal manager, Thabo Mashabela to urgently provide the Section 79 committee with a progress report on the municipality’s informal settlements intervention.
The municipality has more than ten informal settlement areas, these include, Nkanini, Mandela, Mawag, Delpark, Dryden Farm, Savanna, Delmas Coal and Mimosa amongst others. Previously, the municipality confirmed that there were plans to assist these communities with basic service delivery. This is also substantiated in the municipality’s financial reports.
The DA embarked on an oversight to one of the informal settlements, Mimosa, where over 600 shacks have been put up. We discovered that a project to put toilets in each household was currently underway. However, this has been marred with political conflicts. Mimosa, is a DA ward, therefore, DA members in this community have been victimized and somehow excluded from this project.
It is concerning to note that the ANC led Victor Khanye has also brought back undignified and degrading bucket toilets in other households. In hindsight, only a few households with connections have benefitted from the toilets project in this area. Meanwhile, it is alleged that some individuals are selling the stands which ranges from R7000 to R10 000.
On the other hand, JoJo tanks are standing empty. According to the residents in this area, the tanks are not filled on a regular basis. Over the years, the municipality has failed to find a way to ensure that the supply of water in Mimosa is improved so that it can cater for all residents.
The DA condemns this form of service delivery in our communities. These toilets and empty JoJo tanks do not meet basic service standards that residents of this democratic country must be subjected to.
We will not allow the ANC administration to trample on the rights of these residents. We will make sure that the municipality takes responsibility and provides basic services to residents of Mimosa and all informal settlements.