LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
THE criminal gangs taking over Duncan Village and other areas of East London are causing great concern among communities (“Gangland terror rages” DD, March 16).
Criminal activities like this which instill fear and vengeance amongst communities are a result of the state neglecting to organise and facilitate small companies and projects that will keep the youth busy and productive.
Our SAPS can’t pre-empt, foresee or anticipate criminal terrorism, but can only utilise investigation and mount intelligence operations in response to problems.
What are the measures to curb crime? TV presenter Vuyo Mvoko was recently robbed in a suburb under glaring television lights.
This kind of violent crime exacerbates tension among communities and undermines the prospect of a better life for all.
It continues unabated and South Africans cannot use the scapegoat of a third force. That is populism or opportunism. It looks like the government has thrown in the towel on crime, but it needs to do introspection and interrogate the rationale behind the spiraling violence. Under President Jacob Zuma our economy has become shaky and our country risky for investment. That means the future is indeed bleak.
I would be happy if the president would reread the ANC manifesto, and promises on dealing with crime, and achieving economic stability and recognise that crime has become a great challenge for all.
I think those who earn a lot of money in government like DGs, MECs, MPLs, MPs and ministers, parastatal CEOs and directors should learn from the likes of like Nelson Mandela, Tshepo Machaea, Ace Ncobo, Patrice Motsepe and Sizwe Kupelo and just adopt some families, schools and communities as a part of a constructive remedy.
Not having hope can drive hungry people towards crime. We need hope – I know, I am one of those who are swimming in this terrible poverty. Duncan Village has paid so dearly when it comes to hardship. The deserve the hope of a better life post-apartheid. — Thozamile Lunguza, East London
Water supply crisis
I WOULD like to bring to your attention a situation which I find absolutely deplorable.
Not four weeks ago, the area of Kaysers Beach, which has a community of well over 300 people residing in and around it, was left for two days without any running, municipal water whatsoever.
The reason? A burst pipe on the main supply line to the water tank reservoir based at Kaysers Beach.
Now, not even a month down the line, the community and surrounding farmers/ settlements etc are once again without running water, and we find ourselves going into the third day without water.
No explanations have been given. No offers from Buffalo City Metro to bring in water tanks for those who do not have the luxury of rain water tanks!
Not a single word from the municipality.
If one phones them and one is lucky enough to have the phone answered, you are sent from pillar to post, each post claiming ignorance and sending you further along the line.
Speculation is that this time the water line is blocked or broken again. Who knows?
Having lived elsewhere in South Africa and abroad, I find the situation here in the Eastern Cape deplorable.
The roads are in a state of no return, there is constant electrical load shedding and we are being forced even further into the dark ages with no running water for days at a time, irrespective of the fact that our accounts still have to be paid every month, irrespective of whether or not the metres have actually been read in the last decade!
Who is held accountable? No one it seems, as the proverbial buck keeps running. It’s high time someone was held accountable for this deplorable situation. — L Page, via e-mail
q THE letter “Urgent need for water” (SD, March 14) by Sue Bentley, a DA councillor for BCM, refers. I hope you are able to help, Councillor Bentley?
I live at Kaysers Beach (in the village) and once again we sit without water. At least we have a tank that we can tap water from. But there are a number of homes that don’t.
I don’t know what the poor people from Needs Camp and Tyolomnqa River area are going to do as they are worse off than we are. Is there a solution to our problem? Before going to work I have to call on family in the city and use their ablution facilities. . . then proceed to work.
This is not a long-term solution! I don’t know who to turn to so please can you point me in the right direction. — Glynis Smith, Kaysers Beach
q THE water supply to the villages of Ncera and its surrounds, has been “unavailable” due to the unknown. Alien capture perhaps?
So, what has happened to it? Pipe problems, leaks? No, these would be repaired within days. Has the water been diverted to elsewhere? If so, where to?
Of course, BCM is unapproachable and its usual arrogant self.
It seems no coincidence that this area, within ward 31, should lose its supply days after the election of the new councillor, the ANC’s Sindile Nimrod Toni.
Does he know what’s happening in his ward? Does he explain the difficulty to those to whom he is responsible?
How about NO. And no change there then. — Rob Prestwich, via e-mail