Residents of Myamandawo in Ext 6, Sakhile are opposed to a proposal from the Lekwa Municipality to move from their squatter camps to a temporary site.
Mnyamandawo, which is on the outskirts of Ext 6, consists of Ward 7 and 15 and their councillors are Mr Ben Mosikedi and Mr Moses Mahlangu respectively.
According to residents, they were moved as a temporary measure to the current area in 2009.
They want the municipality to grant them permanent accommodation.
According to them, the municipality’s Department of Human Settlements approached them and asked to erect poles to supply electricity to Ext 8 for the newly built RDP houses,
They said a promise was made of being moved to a permanent area.
“Now they are telling us that they will move us to another temporary area on the R23/Robertsdrift Road,” Ms Nomusa Tsotetsi said.
“We will not move, especially to one where conditions are unlivable.”
The residents took it upon themselves to write a letter to the Speaker, Ms Harriet Khotha, requesting a meeting on 13 September.
A meeting was granted and the ward councillors were present.
Upon arriving at the municipal chambers, things turned out differently.
They were told the municipality does not want the whole community in attendance, but only those whose names appear on the letter requesting the meeting, and those whose yards were used for installation of electricity poles.
They were also informed that they must write another letter which will be directed to the mayor’s office.
According to them, they complied and were informed via sms that they will be informed of a date as soon as it is set.
The Standerton Advertiser sent questions to Ms Thobeka Mtshiselwa, communications manager, on 21 September and is awaiting a reply.
Readers will be updated on the matter.
