This statement was made by a 69-year-old pensioner, Ms Elizabeth Ngoma, during a peaceful service delivery march that took place from Rabie Ridge to Midrand on Monday.
Thousands of residents from the Ivory Park, Rabie Ridge, Ebony Park and Kaalfontein extension took to the streets and marched to the City of Joburg’s (CoJ) executive mayor, Clr Parks Tau’s office, in a bid to call for better service delivery.
The marchers were joined by ANC local councillors and members from SANCO and the SACP.
A memorandum, which stated their grievances, was received by the MMC for Housing Dan Bovu on behalf of the executive mayor.
ANC ward 79 councillor, Clr Petrus Zitha, said residents demanded the immediate establishment of a dedicated task team, fully mandated to urgently attend to service delivery and development issues in the greater Ivory Park area.
“People are complaining about poor roads, squashed informal settlements and that many people registered for RDP house more than 10 years ago still do not have houses. People also demanded that local contractors be empowered by awarding them tenders for projects undertaken by our region,” he said.
One of the Ivory Park residents, Mr Chakela Modibedi (55), said they want the CoJ to find open land for the residents who squashed in squatter camps.
“Our houses are close to these shacks and when there is a fire, our houses also burn. The worst part is the spilling of sewage in Ivory Park. It is disappointing that we are forced to spend our lives in an unhygienic environment. We are appealing to the government to fix potholes and the sewerage network in Ivory Park,” he said.
Ward 8 EFF members, who attempted to take part in the march, turned back as they were allegedly told the march was for the ANC.
EFF spokesperson, Mr Isaac Nembudani said, “All we wanted was to tell the mayor that we needed land and job opportunities.”
