KINROSS – Residents recently had a community meeting to discuss various municipal issues.
According to Mr Petrus Stoop, a resident, they are challenging Govan Mbeki Municipality about the deterioration of their town.
“We feel like we have been quiet for too long and now is the time to unite and put an end to the bad service,” said Mr Stoop.
The cherry on the cake for Kinross residents was when the municipality allegedly granted permission to Marikana residents to build hog pens for their pigs and cattle close to Kinross’ residential area.
Residents expressed their concerns as this poses a health hazard to mourners who visit a cemetery in town where their loved ones are buried.
“If the cattle gaze there, there is no respect shown to families whose loved ones are buried there,” said a resident.
According to Mr Stoop, the municipality did not consult the community about these plans and if the residents had been consulted, they would not have granted permission.
“We notice that shacks for the shepherds are gradually appearing without water or sanitation for these dwellers,” said another resident.
The community is now meeting regularly to discuss these issues. Mr Stoop said the ward councillors for Kinross, Ms Rose Nkabinde and Mr Ben Makola, have been invited to the meetings, but to no avail.
The refuse site in Kinross is another issue that concerns residents as it is full and should be fenced off.
“An alternative refuse site should be provided. The current dumping site is another health hazard as rubbish is blown to the residential areas and the golf course,” added a resident.
The recycling centre was another topic on resident’s list during the community meeting.
Residents said placing the recycling centre right in the middle of town was due to poor planning as there is a constant stench and rats are running around.
“A business of that nature should be moved to the industrial area,” said a resident.
They were also not consulted when the municipality began with a project of RDP and low cost housing.
“This could lead to crime in our area and we feel the municipality must consult the residents before embarking on such big projects,” a local said.
“This will lead to the depreciation of our property,” another added.
The attendees are not happy with small businesses in the centre of town and conveyed that the municipality should not grant permission for such businesses as it takes away from the dignity of the town.
“We demand that businesses such as panel beating be in the industrial area and not in town,” the community declared.
A tavern in the centre of town was another problem residents discussed at the meeting at length and they demanded that this tavern be closed down.
“It leads to the filthiness of the town as it is in the main street.
“Empty bottles and general filthiness shows that this town is not taken seriously by the municipality.
“The drunkards urinate on the pavements,” added another local.
Many streets in Kinross have potholes and are neglected in general.
“This also depreciates our property, but rates are constantly going up, and there is no service delivery.
“Kinross town is the hub of prostitution and we demand that the municipality puts an end to this.
“Sewerage pipes have been leaking for years and storm drains are blocked because of the spill of old oil by the panel beaters.
“As rate payers we demand the dignity of our town back.”
The residents added that they will hold the municipality accountable for the poor state. They want to be treated with dignity and be involved in any project the municipality wants to embark on so that feedback can be given.
The Ridge Times asked the Chief of Staff of Govan Mbeki Municipality, Mr Benzi Soko, for comment regarding these issues, but he did not respond at the time of going to print.
