Ward 4 residents accuse GMM of putting their lives in danger
Deep trenches are being left open and are filling up with water.
Ward 4 residents in eMbalenhle are accusing the Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) of endangering their lives with deep open trenches at their gates.
These trenches are being left open and are filling up with water. According to residents, the trenches were dug before the by-election in the ward last month.
They claim the executive mayor, Nhlakanipho Zuma, was present with the excavations.
One resident, Sanele Ngwenyama, said they had hoped their streets would be repaired when the municipality began digging.
However, they left the trenches unbarricaded without an explanation.
“We know when it is election time, we suddenly see a flurry of activity by the municipality to appear as if we are receiving services, only to leave behind incomplete work.
“What they have left here at Ward 4 is dangerous to us and our children, because our children have already begun playing in these trenches with dirty water.
“This is nothing new. We still have the incomplete multimillion-rand sewer project at Ext 5, which also turned into an unsafe place for children.
“This will continue until someone dies. Only then will the municipality put our safety first. Until that day, the only people being prioritised are the tenders,” said a disgruntled Ngwenyama.
Ngwenyama said all the projects GMM starts will remain incomplete because of political interference.
Another resident willing to speak on the record, Vusi Mahlangu, said since the municipality dug these trenches, he cannot drive his car into his yard.
He has to park his vehicle at the neighbours. Mahlangu asked why GMM dug the trench in front of his gate.
“It makes life difficult. I can’t even access my own home without a fuss,” he declared.
Donald Green, the acting communications manager at GMM, said the stormwater team is attending to the trench in that area and work is ongoing.
Green said the challenges in that area were identified during the weekly mayoral service delivery programme, Ijima Lokuhlwengisa.
He denied this campaign was to attract potential voters before the by-elections.
According to Green, the executive mayor launched the campaign four years ago on December 11, 2020, intending to concentrate workers from different departments in one area so the people on the ground can note and feel that service delivery.
It covers a series of service delivery activities, namely roads, electricity, water, sanitation, waste and enforcement of municipal by-laws.
“The programme continues to make an impact every week in various wards. Service delivery cannot come to a standstill because there will be provincial and national elections or by-elections.
“Through this programme, the municipality can reduce the number of service complaints related to service delivery,” said Green.
“The programme is also a key to gauge service delivery across all the three regions of the municipality and serves as a means by the political leadership to hold officials accountable for a lack of service delivery.
“This campaign does not impact on day-to-day service delivery, nor is it aimed at disregarding other important service delivery matters,” explained Green.
