WATCH: Anger ebbs as council commits to service delivery
ALEXANDRA - Tempers over failed service delivery promises were subdued last night [Thursday] among residents of Rasta Village and Extension 8 unlike the previous night [Wednesday] when the area was rocked by protests that ended at their councillor's home.
Tempers which flared among protesting residents of Rasta Village and residents of Ext 8 on the night of 13 August over alleged failed service delivery were subdued on 14 August.
On the first night, 13 August, residents burnt tyres and went to Ward 105 councillor Joyce Ngwenya’s home in Eastbank to vent their anger.
WATCH: Alexandra residents protest for service delivery:
The calm seemed to have resulted from City Council officials honouring their commitment – stated in the Alex News web article Rasta Village Service Delivery Rocks Alex – to address them along with Ngwenya. This regarding the alleged failure by Ngwenya to fulfill a promise in the delivery of basic services including electricity, toilets, water, refuse collection and an end to flooding through the construction of stormwater drains.
The residents blamed successive councillors, including Ngwenya. They claimed she failed to avail herself at several meetings. Ext 8 residents said they struggled with electricity which tripped due to illegal connections by residents of Rasta Village. When it was restored, the surge damaged their property.
This is creating strained relationships between the two groups.
Rasta Village residents claimed to have occupied the area long before the Ext 8 houses were developed, and said they had endured broken promises of new housing allocations which forced them to live in squalid conditions. This untenable situation led them to do anything, including illegal electricity connections, to access services pending the resolution of their problems.
Ngwenya said her hands were tied as she had passed their concerns to higher authorities who at times were constrained by budgetary limitations. She added that sometimes she experienced a hostile reception at Rasta Village which impeded her from convening meetings. “One time, Metro police issued Rasta Village residents with notices to vacate the area which is unsuitable for housing, but they refused and this made it hard for me to deal with them as they became confrontational,” she said.
Deputy chief whip of council Justice Ngalonkulu said the massive housing challenges led to council extending basic services to informal settlements, albeit temporarily, until appropriate housing was found. “Council will be approached to consider the case of Rasta Village residents. In the same vein, council will also ensure services to residents of Ext 8 are not disrupted through illegal power connections. Those whose equipment and assets are destroyed by power surges should seek compensation from council by completing the appropriate forms.”
He added that council would also consider other needs such as stormwater drains, roads and how to increase power capacity to the area.
MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Matsidiso Mfikoe committed to arranging a follow-up meeting with other city council departments and residents to contribute to a long-term resolution. Meanwhile, she urged those who connected electricity illegally to desist as disconnections would be enforced.
