Communities near Standerton battle lack of service delivery
“The transition was not properly handled when Seriti took over from Anglo American, in as far as Thuthukani hostel is concerned.”
The residents of Thuthukani are getting a raw deal with living conditions as service delivery has ground to a halt.
Delani Louis Thabethe, executive mayor of the Lekwa Municipality, along with MMCs, executive managers and Ward 12 Clr Thabang Motaung, recently conducted an extensive inspection of the Thuthukani hostel, the township dumpsite and land identified for a gravesite.
According to a statement from Lekwa’s communication manager, Lubabalo Majenge, the purpose was to assess the community’s living conditions, services and lack thereof.
Thabethe said Thuthukani forms part of the municipality. Eskom renders services in the township, while Seriti services the hostel.
“We arrived here to assess and find out exactly what the conditions of the Thuthukani hostel and Thuthukani township are,” the mayor said.
“This assessment will enable us to formulate effective solutions to improve the living conditions of the affected communities.”
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According to him, as far as Thuthukani hostel is concerned, they did not properly handle the transition when Seriti took over from Anglo American.
“Communities in the township, as well as the hostel, no longer have access to services. They are not serviced by Eskom and Seriti anymore.”
They requested the municipality to take over.
According to Thabethe, it was a missed opportunity that, should it have been handled properly, most of what was there could have been saved.
The delegation found a vandalised area, now illegally occupied and not serviced.
The mayor also said the municipality will meet with Seriti and Tutuka Power Station to discuss the issues of both the hostel and the township.
“It is important that the community of Thuthukani have access to services and the municipality will not fold its arms,” he concluded.
“We are responsible for ensuring the area is serviced much like any other community in Lekwa,” Thabethe said.
The Standerton Advertiser sent an email to Seriti’s head office on September 2, enquiring about the allegation that the handover was not properly handled.
Readers will be updated once feedback is received.
