Govt committee ‘astounded’ no work done on electrifying neighbourhood
“It is heartbreaking that residents have to buy ice at exorbitant prices to store medication that is critical for their lives.”
A government committee was “astounded” to discover that no work has even begun to electrify a neighbourhood in the east of Pretoria, even though parliament has resolved to do so several months ago.
“This is concerning in the context that the residents of the area are predominantly people living with disabilities,” said local government portfolio committee chairperson Faith Muthambi.
“It is heartbreaking that residents have to buy ice at exorbitant prices to store medication that is critical for their lives.”
Muthambi made the remarks during a visit by the committee to Nellmapius extension 22 on Tuesday.
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According to her, parliament resolved on 4 June, that the area would be electrified by February 2021.
“We know that the procurement process in government is lengthy, and from the looks of things, the deadline will not be met,” she said.
Muthambi said the committee had received a petition from the residents complaining about lack of electrification in the area.
She said following engagements with the residents and department, commitments were made.
The committee intended to keep both the department and the municipality accountable over the electricity issue.
“The fact that it has been over five years that the residents moved into the area without electricity is concerning.
“What is even more concerning is that a nearby squatter camp that developed after extension 22 has been electrified by the municipality. This creates conflict among communities and is grounds for discontent to fester against the government,” said Muthambi.
“The committee is also concerned that a contractor that is building roads is now being accused of the destruction of water reticulation pipes, leading to water loss.”
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She said the committee had called for co-operation between government departments to ensure that all amenities including a police station, recreational facilities and economic development were developed in the area.
“As a country we took a decision to move away from housing to human settlements as a way of ensuring that people have access to the necessary amenities where they stay. This is the reason we are calling for co-operation between the different spheres of government,” Muthambi said.
She promised residents that the committee would continue monitoring the implementation of the commitment to ensure that the people of the area got electricity.
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