Residents stop road being fixed
STOP: Lerato Park residents yesterday refused to allow a contractor to repair roads in the area until their demands for serviced plots have been met. THE FLOODED road leading into Lerato Park cannot be fixed due to threats from the community that it will damage the equipment of a contractor who was appointed to fix the stormwater drainage of the paved road, which was dug up during protests last month.
During a community meeting that was held yesterday, the shack dwellers stated that they would not allow the contractor on site until their demand for serviced plots at the formal housing section in Lerato Park was granted.
“They must stop lying to us, we are sick and tired. We are still waiting for the premier and the mayor to give us answers to our list of grievances,’ they said.
“The mayor need not be afraid, he can come with the police, we will not harm him.”
They also stated that their protests had nothing to do with politics.
“We are merely standing together for basic rights. We don’t need a road, we need access to water and flush toilets. We cannot live like this for the next 24 years.
“We have instead been threatened with arrest ... we don’t know on what charges. Seven innocent people were arrested on charges of public violence during the protest.”
The shack dwellers added that they knew how to navigate the road when it became waterlogged.
“It doesn’t rain that much in Kimberley and we can use another route if necessary. We make it easy for the police and the ambulance by meeting them in the main road.”
Residents had previously complained that they were unable to use the road during wet weather.
Community representative Gerard Tekisho meanwhile added that they had raised funds to hire an advocate to represent them in the eviction order and interdict that will be heard in the Northern Cape High Court on February 16
“Each shack will have to contribute towards the cost that will amount to about R80 000.”
Manager in the office of the executive mayor, George Mosimane, referred media enquiries to the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta).
“The mayor is still waiting upon the police to inform him as to when it is safe to go to Lerato Park,” said Mosimane.
Regional head of Coghsta in the Frances Baard region, Mzi Mdunge, explained that repairing the stormwater drainage for the road would be to the benefit of the community.
“Coghsta is responsible for development and does not allocate land. No work can be done on the R3.2 million project until the community allows the contractor on site. The tender was awarded in December last year, in response to complaints from the community that the road was becoming waterlogged.”
He added that the tender did not include the repair of the road, where bricks were dug up in order to blockade Barkly Road during protest action in December and January.
“Sol Plaatje Municipality will have to source funds for the road,” said Mdunge.