Life for residents of Mogale City’s 112 informal settlements has not changed in the past 21 years. Given the Mogale City Council’s track record, it is unlikely to change under the current administration.
DA Gauteng Constituency Head for Mogale City, Alan Fuchs said the majority of these settlements have no electricity, no roads and are reliant on water provided by tankers or communal taps.
“Numerous municipal strategies and plans to deal with the plight of these communities have borne no fruit, instead only increasing frustration levels among the 40 000 residents.
“To date, none of the 20 000 structures have been electrified and residents regularly complain about water from tankers tasting bad and turnings green after a few days.
Fuchs mentioned despite these and other shortcomings municipal officials continue to make false promises to keep people happy.
“Officials already are telling people that procurement processes are under way to upgrade the undignified sanitation in most settlements, but the municipality’s poor track record speaks for itself and these promises may never materialise.
“Each informal settlement has its own challenges, which requires a unique approach.
It has been agreed that settlements within the mining belt should be relocated for health reasons, while others on land suitable for occupation should be upgraded. However, the municipality’s inaction to date has caused the settlements to mushroom in size.”
The DA will continue to pressure both the municipality and the provincial government to take decisive action and alleviate the suffering of thousands who are forced to endure inhumane living conditions.
