ABOUT 70 per cent of developments in Kempton Park are illegal.
This shocking statistic was revealed by the acting HOD of the city planning, Morena Letsosa, speaking at a recent mayoral imbizo at Laerskool Bredell.
“There are procedures in place. Notices have been sent out and the department has prioritised unannounced visits to illegal constructions around Kempton Park,” he said. “The department wants to ensure that this issue is resolved and that we act and respond accordingly to illegal housing,” Letsosa said.
At the imbizo, residents, especially those living in Bredell, expressed somewhat of a resentment towards the metro. Representing the mayoral office was MMC for Roads and Transport, Thumbu Mahlangu. Ironically, the imbizo was meant to report on service delivery by the metro but residents instead reported on the lack thereof.
“We hear the metro did this and put up traffic lights at this place, or built a clinic here and fixed a pothole there; but what about the other areas the metro has neglected?” one angry resident asked.
“Almost all the issues you’re announcing here are not issues affecting Bredell. We have no services in this place. We see nothing.”
Jan Ruyter, a farmer in Bredell, complained about illegal building on plots. This led to borehole water being contamination because the sewage infrastructure only allows for two kitchens or houses per plot.
“I have been complaining to the metro about this for the past four years and still nothing has been done. There is a severe lack of accountability and responsibility within the metro,” Ruyter said.
Another concerned person said there were over 275 properties in Bredell with some form of infringement.
“Properties such as Destiny Hotel opposite Laerskool Bredell have been built already but building plans had not yet been approved,” he said.
Letsosa said he would look into the situation.
Another worried woman said drains left open after construction of the hotel were dangerous for learners who pass there every day.
“The ward committee has been sending reports to the metro but nothing has been done.”
Other issues raised during the meeting included the problem with illegal shebeens and illegal dumping.
Another woman raised the issue of Marister basically not existing.
“No one knows where it is, not even the people at the call centre,” the woman said, recounting an incident where she had spoken to a woman at the centre, who said she didn’t know Marister and that it did not exist.
“As a result, we don’t have much services. Not even the emergency services know where we are.”
“How do you as the mayoral office collect your feedback on the status of service delivery if you don’t even know about half the things happening at grass roots level?” one resident asked.
A representative from the water department said the water supply was being upgraded and a new sewer system was also being put in place because the current pump station was not coping.
Although there was a lot of negative feedback, one man congratulated the electricity department.
“They are quick and efficient. As soon as we report lights aren’t working, they are fixed the next day.”
