MECs and Eersterust community meet up to discuss problems in the area
“We want fewer promises and more action.”
Gauteng MECs met with members of the Eersterust community at the local civic centre last week Thursday to discuss problems plaguing the area. “We get no support from our local government – provincial or national,” Ruth Mosely of Eersterust Unite told the meeting. “We want fewer promises and more action.”
“We cannot remember when last we received any financial aid. If our vote is good enough, then we should also count. We want Eersterust to count and we want the community to be great again. It is not a safe place to be.”
Community activist, Debbie Moses, asked that the MMCs look at the issues at the schools.
“We are asking them to assist with suicide campaigns, as well as involve parents to educate them on what is happening at the schools. We would also like to appeal to the police as well as the CPF to ensure that we have a direct link to our schools,” said Moses.
Ward councillor Benjamin Lawrence agreed on the need for action.
“We have had many meetings, but we must now see to it that we don’t just have another meeting that simply ticks off the boxes.
“We need to be part of the change,” he said.
Department for Community Safety head Nontsikelelo Sisulu said, “We need to stand together to solve problems.”
“When you have done your part as a community member and you have a backlog and a glitch, let us help you unlock it,” she said.
The acting district commissioner of Tshwane, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Matshwane Theledi, said they experienced “challenges” in interacting with the community. “We acknowledge that,” he said.
“We held held a lot of operations in the area. It has led to drug arrests and the closure of several shebeens, but we need to do more.
Other problems in the area included car hijackings, murders, property crimes, business robberies and theft out of motor vehicles.
“I would like to see the engagement of the community. The community needs to trust the police and I want to encourage them to come forward with information to them.
“We are here to protect and serve our community,” said Theledi.
Education MMC Panyaza Lesufi told the meeting that they were there to listen to the community’s issues.
“We rely on them to come to us with their problems. Only then can we resolve them,” he said. Lesufi said the system, unfortunately, only helped matric learners who pass. “But those who fail – we don’t know what happens to them. We need to follow up on those learners.
We want to plan their future together. We want to give every child a second chance.
They need to get back into the mainstream – to fail is not the end, but it is the opportunity to start again. I am the beginning of good things,” he said.
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