While residents in Kagiso, Munsieville, Muldersdrift, Magaliesburg and other areas enjoy service delivery and basic services, the people of Tarlton still live in cold, dark shacks using candles for light and paraffin, gas, wood and coal to cook.
The councillor for the area promised people electricity two years ago. But when the people demanded what they were promised, rubber bullets were fired and teargas hung all over Bagale Village. More than 50 people were arrested while others were injured. It is so sad because its been two years of these people going to court but every time the case is postponed.
Many shacks have burnt down because of the candles, and gas or paraffin stoves, and people end up becoming sick. Some have TB.
Some people opted to build shacks for themselves, but every time the Red Ants came in, and destroyed their houses. I’m surprised, because foreign spaza shops are allowed to build while others are denied.
After 22 years of freedom, people still don’t have basic services; they don’t have flushing toilets, running water pumps inside their yards, or electricity.
The Freedom Charter states clearly that all people shall be treated equally. This means that not only the people in Kagiso and Munsieville should enjoy service delivery and upgrades by the Mogale City Municipality.
The Freedom Charter also states that all people have the right to basic services. There is no reason for the people of Tarlton to cast their votes, because as soon as they ask for service delivery, the police are called, and people are shot with rubber bullets and sent to jail.
The Mogale City Local Municipality and the government are both neglecting and failing the people of Tarlton, and they will end up losing Ward 30 if they don’t wake up, because people are tired of the situation and the untrustworthy leaders.
The government and municipality should also take note that not only Kagiso and Munsieville are voting, so they must stop upgrading these townships and start developing those who haven not enjoyed any service delivery for the last 22 years.
