Gatvol! Town’s residents unite against lack of service delivery
Residents unite in a mass protest at the municipal buildings. The Gatvol movement also drafted a petition that was signed by 4 000 people.
In an attempt to showcase their growing frustration with the lack of service delivery, residents from all areas in Rand West City protested in front of the Rand West City Local Municipality’s offices.
Residents from Randfontein, Finsbury, Mohlakeng, Toekomrus and Westonaria united in a march to the municipality building. Upon arrival, the crowd expressed their anger and concerns with the municipality’s lack of service delivery. These issues include road maintenance, sewage, water delivery, electricity and RDP housing.
Police, as well as members from the Traffic Department, arrived at the scene. The municipality consequently locked their gates.
The protest was organised by a group of people who dubbed themselves as Gatvol Randfontein. The founder of the group, Liza Peyper, has come forward with her concerns during the protest.
“We started this movement after the power outage that left Randgate and Homelake residents without power for more than two weeks,” Peyper confirmed.
“We are being left without electricity — it feels like Randfontein has its own load-shedding schedule. The water is being cut off regularly, and the sewage and potholes are never maintained. These are some of the reasons why we started this movement, however, our main concern is that we are being silenced.
@caxton.jhbwest RWCLM mayor responds to protest by Randfontein residents about service delivery. #CaxtonLocalMedia #Randfontein #Protest
“We are fed up with being silenced and still having to pay for maintenance. Why do we have to pay for something that we do not receive? When we applied for the protest, I was intimidated to stop the march. They told me, ‘Residents in all towns are unsatisfied’.
“We would like to do the protest legally, and that is why we decided not to do it within the town itself and rather at the municipal building. We are in no way, shape or form a political movement, and we stand with all genders and races,” she expressed.
The Gatvol movement also drafted a petition that was signed by 4 000 people. This protest was also organised to hand these petitions over to the municipal authorities.
“This is the whole community. We are all fed up. We will not be silenced anymore because someone has to take responsibility,” Peyper stated.
According to the municipality’s Facebook page, a Special Council Seating was held on February 26.
Acting Executive Mayor Nontombi Molatlhegi, along with Speaker of Council Selina Moumakwe discussed crucial items and addressed issues affecting service delivery. The post also stated that a comprehensive plan would be put in place to tackle service delivery backlogs and ensure proper maintenance.Residents unite in a mass protest at the municipal buildings. The Gatvol movement also drafted a petition that was signed by 4 000 people.Residents unite in a mass protest at the municipal buildings. The Gatvol movement also drafted a petition that was signed by 4 000 people.
