Lekwa visits Ext 8

The Lekwa Local Municipality, alongside the Standerton Advertiser, visited Extension 8 on March 5 to evaluate the ongoing challenges in the area.

The Standerton Advertiser published a front page story about this development on its publication of February 28.

During the newspaper’s previous visit, some residents admitted to occupying the area illegally. Additionally, several housing units remain incomplete and unfit for occupancy.

Little children could be seen playing on flights of stairs and landings without guardrails and illegal electricity connections were open for all to see.

In an effort to understand why the issue remains unresolved, the municipality was asked when these flats will be completed, if the current residents have authorised to occupy the units and who authorised this, who is coughing up for the electricity consumption from illegal connections, if services were being rendered in the area and who will tackle the unsafe conditions at the flats.

Lubabalo Majenge, communications officer for the Lekwa Local Municipality, responded: “This development is an ongoing project under the Department of Human Settlements (DHS).”

“The municipality cannot provide services until the project has been officially handed over.”

While Majenge stated that the municipality does provide some services, many residents disagreed. According to them, municipal services in the area are inconsistent.

Many homes frequently experience power outages, and residents must travel long distances to access water for household use.

The municipality acknowledged ongoing efforts to upgrade the waste management system but reiterated that it had no involvement in the construction of housing units.

“The responsibility for this development lies with the DHS. The municipality cannot intervene until the project is officially transferred,” Majenge concluded.

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