Region A residents slams IDP for not yielding any results
Lesiba Walter Mapeka of Ward 92 says despite always participating in the IDP sessions every year, he is not seeing any developments in his area.
“This is the 10th Integrated Development Planning (IDP) session we are moving into, but there is no action being taken.”
These were the words of frustrated Rabie Ridge Residents Association chairperson Charles Jones during a session where residents were allowed to raise their concerns.
The IDP session was held at the newly refurbished Rabie Ridge Community Hall on April 6.
Read more: Ward 92 and 110 councillors share their thoughts on the much-criticised IDP sessions
Jones is not the only one that is left disappointed with the session, as many other residents of Region A were not happy either, saying it does not yield any positive outcome.
He said, “If the government is not going to take action against the land that is illegally being grabbed in Rabie Ridge, Austin View, Mayibuye and Kanana, there is going to be a war there. I don’t know how the government can allow that to happen because this land grabbing has been going on for a very long time and impacts service delivery as well.”
However, as each speaker was only given two minutes, Jones was cut of due to lapsed time.
And only two people per ward with two minutes each were allowed to raise concerns from their ward.
Read more: Ward 92 and 110 councillors await community-based planning feedback
Lesiba Walter Mapeka of Ward 92 said there was a lack of service delivery, especially in the development despite always participating in the IDP sessions every year.
“But we are not seeing any development. The biggest issue for me is to know when development of our informal settlement is coming to our ward. It would be nice to have a time frame to this requests because there is no development. Lastly, can we at least have high mast solar lights?”
In response to the questions and concerns raised, Luyiso Masuku, MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services commended the residents for their active participation and assured them of the city’s unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order. “The city will not tolerate any form of lawlessness, particularly the escalating issue of land grabs. Law enforcement agencies need to take decisive action against perpetrators, demonstrating the city’s resolve to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of its citizens.”
Related articles: Deppe slams the recently held IDP session at the Midrand Fire Station
