Kempton Park residents and businesses question CoE priorities
"What will South African citizens benefit from changing street names? Nothing," said Mahlakgane.
Kempton Park residents questioned the City of Ekurhuleni’s (CoE) priorities since the Express reported that CoE kicked off its two-year process of renaming 44 key streets and roads.
ALSO READ: Reader not proud to live in Kempton Park
In September 2019, the CoE approved the name changes following a public participation process in 2019.
CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini previously stated the public participation process involved the collection of nominations for names that cumulated into the report that was adopted by the council.
Since its reportage, the Express has been inundated with complaints and comments about poor services and the state of Kempton Park.
The majority feel that CoE is wasting money on the renaming of streets at the cost of service delivery in Kempton Park.
Numerous residents and business owners also sent photos and examples of the poor state of Kempton Park, especially the CBD.
Residents speak
“Kempton Park CBD has become a cesspool of dirt, crime, prostitution, drugs, gambling, murder, theft and corruption,” said Ilke Vermaak.
“Why are they [CoE] spending money on new street names instead of spending money on community services?” questioned Comfort Duma.
Yvonne Edwards suggested funds be used for repairs of potholes and streetlights.
“I am sure the veterans will not mind waiting another year as some have already waited 25 years for their names to be immortalised,” stated Edwards.
Thapelo Mahlakgane described the project as a way of “looting taxpayers’ money.”
“What will South African citizens benefit from changing street names? Nothing,” said Mahlakgane.
Adri van Reenen urged CoE to rather spend funds on helping people in need, feeding the hungry and road repairs.
ALSO READ: “Kempton Park CBD deteriorates” – reader
Louis van der Walt has been a resident of Kempton Park since 1952 and he too urged CoE to use the money to clean and rebuild the city.
“It is in a very bad state. Kempton Park used to be clean and beautiful. It was a pleasure to live here,” said van der Walt.
Masilo Sam Bopape expressed the wish that CoE would rather construct new roads and stop renaming existing roads.
“That’s not service delivery. It is a waste of money,” said Bopape.
CBD
CBD business owners also added their voice stating that the local economy is suffering as shoppers no longer visit the CBD due to the poor state of the area.
“Despite paying rates of R315 000 per year for one building, the pavements in the Kempton Park CBD is never maintained,” said Eugene Supra.
“There is no concern for the deterioration of the pavements in the CBD. Shops depend on feet to keep the doors open and to be able to continue paying rates and taxes. Shops provide jobs. However, the landlords and tenants have to continually operate their businesses under poor maintenance to no maintenance in the CBD,” said Supra.
“Our civic centre used to be the pride of Kempton where people used to take wedding photos. Now, the garden is in a shocking state of disaster,” said Gerhard Jacobs from Terenure.
Jacobs described streets as “riddled with potholes and debris”.
“People are looking for work, food and accommodation, but we have millions to spend on street name changes. That money could have been spent on the people of Kempton Park. This is just another way of wasting public money,” said Jacobs.
Jim Hamilton has been a resident for 45 years.
“The state of Kempton Park CBD is nothing short of disgusting. It is a human toilet for people to do just what they like. Not even proper policing and bylaws are maintained,” said Hamilton.
Kleintjie Coetzee reminded CoE that Kempton Park is where most tourists first enter South Africa.
“What must tourists think when they see the state of our city? It is said to see how dirty our town is,” said Coetzee.
If council does not comment
Despite Express’s attempts to obtain comment from CoE on the letters sent in recent weeks, no comment was received.
The Express again made a request for comment on issues raised in writing and on the Express social media platforms.
CoE was requested to comment in detail on the public participation process proceeding council’s approval to rename the streets and roads.
The Express also asked for comment on complaints about:
• The CBD and business owners concerns about the town’s economy suffering due to the poor state of the CBD including pavement repairs and potholes and what assistance these businesses, if any, can expect from CoE to help the town’s economy?
• Potholes and the current status of pothole repairs in Kempton Park CBD
• Poor by-law enforcement and what will be done to rectify this?
• Poor state of the civic centre and garden
• Poor state of Kwartel Street and speeding on this road.
The Express requested comment by November 18 at 11:00. At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.
Also follow us on:
