Service delivery protests signal growing disenchantment

SA has a reputation of having one of the best constitutions in the world as it contains a Bill of Rights with a plethora of freedoms in line with a democratic order.

Citizens enjoy a myriad of rights as enunciated in the constitution. The state is obligated to ensure these rights are given expression to in tandem with the letter and spirit of the constitution.

It is commonplace that rights come with corresponding responsibilities, and there are times when these rights are curtailed and limited owing to emergencies arising from forces of nature beyond human control.

In these circumstances, human freedoms are encroached upon, with the most recent instance being the Covid-19 pandemic which necessitated the introduction of drastic measures such as the lockdown to curb the spread of the deadly virus.

Citizens were of necessity subjected to a curfew and their movement was restricted.

Let me not labour on this rights-responsibilities point any further as my piece’s focus is specifically on the flawed municipal billing by Buffalo City Metro and the issue of the provision of services or lack thereof.

My article was triggered by a telephone interview conducted by the host of a SABC radio talkshow during which BCM executive mayor Xola Pakati was called to account on the pervasive issue of inaccurate billing of municipal clients.

Also taking part in that telephonic interview was councillor Mziyanda Hlekiso of the EFF and someone from the SACP.

One caller indicated they had been billed R400,000 for municipal services.

This account, crucially, was for their residential home, not a business premises.

What was amplified is that these crazy municipal bills are issued against the backdrop of filthiness around the metro, which is a common sight in our towns and communities, raging from the sewage spills and attendant stench posing a health hazard to rubbish that is not collected.

What struck me was the arrogance of the mayor when confronted on these issues.

When the talk-show host solicited an answer to the question regarding the existence or non-existence of inaccurate billing of municipal clients, the mayor responded angrily.

Instead of confirming or denying the problem, he warned the host to desist from putting words in his mouth.

It was difficult for me to make sense of the mayor’s responses as they were very evasive.

I couldn’t understand what he was trying to say and how the problem will be handled, as truth be told, it can’t just be wished away.

Service delivery issues transcend geographic boundaries in SA as wherever you go in this country, people find themselves in a state of neglect when it comes to services provision.

The local government sphere is a glaring example of these failures.

It s not an exaggeration to say

is’ it in this government sphere where the rot manifests itself.

Corruption has since become synonymous with SA. Every day in this country, citizens wake up to breaking news of those siphoning funds from the public purse being hauled before courts facing charges of theft amounting to millions of rand.

This defrauding of the state occurs against the backdrop of grinding poverty gripping the vulnerable in society.

What future is there when those who the citizens put in power to administer to their needs and wellbeing choose to betray the trust invested in them.

History shows that with all revolutions, the trigger consistently has been an empty stomach.

As long as there are empty stomachs in the midst of opulence, which is an exclusive preserve of the comprador elite, there will always be revolution brewing and bound to explode at a certain point.

The flare-ups in service delivery protests may seem innocuous when they actually are a symptom of general disenchantment.

There has never been a more pressing time than now for those who we have given the power to rule on our behalf to discharge that mandate with zeal and effrontery or the fortunes will turn at the next electoral episode.

Redemption can never be deferred. I hope the custodians of our hard-earned freedom have not reached a point of absolute numbness not to listen to the ramblings of empty stomachs hankering for services due to them.

Service delivery issues transcend geographic boundaries in SA as wherever you go in this country, people find themselves in a state of neglect when it comes to services provision