Laudium residents grow tired of service delivery problems, launch own initiative
The MMC indicated that he will propose to the mayor that he looks at implementing this initiative throughout the City.
Laudium residents have launched their own service delivery initiative after numerous months of complaints and meetings with different metro officials failed to yield the desired result.
The initiative is headed by acting director for community service in region 4 Lorraine Maudi and ward 61 councillor Naeem Patel.
Two weeks ago Patel has hosted a meeting to discuss the service delivery backlog in the ward that had resulted from the metro’s budgetary constraints.
Patel said he had invited different departmental heads to the meeting so they could together discuss how to implement a service delivery checklist that didn’t require much money.
“It was decided that a team would come to Laudium that same day to partake in this initiative. The roads and storm department and parks, urban forestry met at the Laudium civic centre to debrief on what we were going to do during this initiative,” he said.
As part of the initiative, the residents and the team took it upon themselves to cut the grass around the CBD and tennis court.
Trees that were obscuring traffic into 4th Avenue were cut, and also in surrounding areas.
Road markings were repainted in the CBD and in 19th Avenue, around Tshwane Muslim school.
“The road markings are not completed in this area, however they will be completed in the next few days to ensure the safety of the residents,” said Patel.
A lot of work was concentrated around the CBD, as per the councillor’s promise to revamp the area.
MMC Peter Sutton paid the teams a visit and did a walk about with Patel to many local businesses, lending an ear to their service delivery issues.
Sutton expressed his shock at the deteriorated state of Laudium, especially the illegal dumping, illegal businesses and total disrespect and disregard of by-laws.
“I am requesting that mayor Cilliers Brink visit Laudium to meet with the community and assist in resolving service delivery issues,” he said.
The initiative also focused on fixing storm water drains and potholes.
Maudi said the team will return to the ward in the next three weeks to finish the job.
“Potholes filled by residents had to be redone as they did not meet the council’s specifications and could pose a danger,” she said.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the Langar Khana, for preparing and supplying meals to the 60 staff members of the City of Tshwane, that were involved in the above-mentioned initiative,” Patel said.
CPF members Suhana Dewala and Shaheen Wahab, CPT Ashraf Pakree, SGT Simon Chokwe, SAPS teams and residents assisted in the initiative.
Patel has promised to continue fighting to make ward 61 a better place for all.
The MMC also added that he was impressed with the initiative and will propose to the mayor that this initiative is implemented throughout the city.
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