Memorandum of grievances handed over by Ivory Park residents

ANC members handed over a memorandum of grievances to the City of Johannesburg at Lord Khanyile community hall in Ivory Park Extension Two on August 17.

Convener of the march, ANC chairperson of Ivory Park, Tebogo Maromo of Ward 133 said it was a march against poor services from EMS and housing problems. The march was expected to go further to Eskom Megawatt Park.

“On July 10 we had a challenge with EMS where a community member, John “Bin Laden” Morothoba, collapsed.”

He says community members called for an ambulance but it was delayed. By the time it arrived, Morothoba had died.

“Community members and neighbours went to inquire at the EMS station. They found two ambulances without diesel.

“What kind of municipality does not budget for essential services like ambulances?” Maromo questioned.

He said there aren’t enough fire trucks and they are demanding that more ambulances and fire trucks be bought.

“To the housing department, we say there are people who have been staying in informal settlements since 1991.

“Why can’t those informal settlements be formalised and electrified to avoid illegal connections?

“To Eskom we are saying why can’t they practice consistency in providing their services?

“We handed over memorandums to the three stakeholders and we request that they respond within 14 working days.”

He says they should respond by September 6 and if they fail to respond, they will take this matter to the provincial government, national government and to the public protector to seek further clarity and assistance so that residents can be content where they stay.

He said if the stakeholders can’t meet their demands they will have a massive march that is more intense than this one in response to their dissatisfaction.

“If people cannot work they must resign. We are resolute to stage a massive protest to shut down Eskom and the municipality.

“The constitution protects me, so I must get the services that I deserve.

“They are operating on a mandate and if they don’t follow their mandate we must remind them.

“After reminding them we must ask the highest authority to remove those who are enemies of progress and put in people who are willing to improve the lives of our people.”