Thousands of Tsakane Extension nine, Extension 10 and Extension 15 residents took to the streets on Monday.
They marched to Faranani Multipurpose Community Centre, demanding service delivery and the resignation of their ward 86 Councillor Phindile Mbonani, who they accuse of neglecting their issues.
The community chairperson of Extension nine residents Dolly Nkosi said they are handing over their memorandum with hope that action will come from the Ekurhuleni Metro, as this is their third memorandum.
“We want development in our areas, there are no toilets or basic services in Extension 10, our roads make it impossible for ambulances and police to access our communities, families are forced to share stands, and there are snakes coming out of Sizuzile Primary School” said Dolly.
The marchers who were made up of both young and old including those wearing their school uniform, said they had missed work and school to ensure they went out in their numbers.
Dolly said, “we have tried to engage our councillor on issues affecting us, but she told us during a community meeting that she doesn’t like us and so as a community we are also saying we dont want her as our councillor.
Mayoral spokesman Zweli Dlamini confirmed that the ward 86 residents handed their memorandum Zinzile Nxesi, on behalf of the City of Ekurhuleni and said the metro would respond .
“We will meet with the concerned residents for a consultation process to begin, while their memorandum goes through the normal municipal services,” explained Dlamini. He said the residents of Extension 10 were relocated to the area as a way of moving them away from the danger in the mining belt where they lived.
Dlamini conceded that, “providing sanitation is a matter of urgency for the Ekurhuleni municipality, and we are also looking at acquiring vacant land to accommodate all the families.”
Asked about the call for the removal of the councillor, Dlamini said it was a legislative issue which will be directed to the relevant department of the Chief Whip and Speaker.
*At the time of going to print, the councillor could not be reached for comment.
