What about us, asks community
SOL PLAATJE Municipality’s executive mayor, Mangaliso Matika, yesterday celebrated his birthday by giving back to the people . . . however, he also came under fire from communities who believed that they should have received preference.
The mayor yesterday visited 96-year-old Colville resident, Elizabeth May, who received a new toilet and running water in her bedroom.
A few doors down, May’s neighbour, 93-year-old Ouma Mabel Atta, was also graced with a visit by Matika.
In Kutlwanong, Club 2000, Jeanette Booysen, whose house burnt down at the end of July, had her newly revamped home handed over to her.
However, residents of Santa Centre said they should have been given preference when the mayor made his decision about which community to visit.
For more than two decades residents living in this area have been calling for improvements to basic water and sanitation, with many families still dependent on communal taps and the bucket system. This has resulted in several protests that have seen the closure of Barkly Road, which runs adjacent to the settlement.
“When we protested earlier this year, Matika promised us that we would be prioritised,” said Santa resident, Attie Brand. “Why then does he choose to visit a community that is already far better serviced than we are?
“Most of us still do not even have running water or flush toilets. Our buckets are not even being emptied regularly and while they were around to do so this morning, this is the first time it has happened in nearly two weeks.”
Several people also criticised the municipality for spending money on “promoting” the mayor’s birthday.
“Why not spend the money on running water for another poor household,” Shane Fredericks asked. “It is clearly more about looking good than doing good.
“He gets paid to provide houses, water and basic infrastructure . . . he is actually doing what he is supposed to,” Glynnis Pretorius said.
The Mayor’s Office said it would respond today.