Michael Crichton targets water outages, power failures and crime in Ward 56

What are the biggest challenges facing your ward, and how will you address them?

Regular water outages and constant power failures. I plan on continuing to put as much pressure on Johannesburg Water to address the burst pipes and water leaks, as far too much water is lost through this.

Then, to rub salt into the wound, whenever there is an area outage, Johannesburg Water blames it on “high consumer water consumption”. In terms of the power issues, I am going to continue pushing for an audit of all the illegal connections.

How will you improve basic service delivery such as water, electricity, refuse removal and road maintenance?

At the outset of this answer, I feel that it is important to highlight the fact that the Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 states that a councillor may not give or purport to give any instruction to any employee of the Council except when authorised to do so. However, having said that, I do my best for the residents at any given time within the legal confines. Over the years, I have developed good relationships with the staff at the respective depots, and that has made them more amenable to assisting my communities, which I intend to continue doing.

What specific plans do you have to improve community safety and reduce crime in the ward?

The SAPS is a National and Provincial competence. However, as a ward councillor, you do form part of the CPF, and over the years I have contributed to this structure in a constructive manner. I have also developed good relationships with the senior officers at the Moffat View SAPS, and as a result, they have been willing to assist with the concerns I have sent to them.

I also have a good relationship with the JMPD, and they have a major role to play in terms of by-law enforcement. There are various other city departments that also play a role in enforcing by-laws.

I am a strong believer that all the law enforcement entities should adopt a “broken windows” policy where they do not tolerate small signs of disorder, because visible disorder can create an environment where more serious crime and disorder flourishes. So, this would entail them dealing with what they consider to be “minor” offences, such as illegal dumping, illegal parking, and public drinking and urination, to name a few examples.

How will you ensure that residents are kept informed and involved in decisions affecting the community?

I have my Ward 56 WhatsApp Groups, the DA Ward 56 Cllr Mike Crichton Ward 56 JHB WhatsApp Channel, my WhatsApp status, my Facebook page, Michael Crichton DA Ward Councillor for Ward 56, my X handle @mikecrichton and my TikTok account @cllr.mike.crichton, which I utilise to keep the communities informed. Quarterly public meetings are also something to strive for.

What will you do to support local businesses, informal traders and job creation in the ward?

I am a big supporter of local businesses and often have my petition tables outside local shops and encourage the public to support them.

When it comes to informal trading, I am working with the city to formalise the informal traders that are based in the parking lot in 2nd Street, La Rochelle. I want that area to become a well-kept place with formal trading stalls with proper cooking stands, where each trader would be able to trade in strict compliance with the Environmental Health regulations. The city would also provide ablution facilities to this area.

In terms of job creation, we would need to make the areas within Ward 56 a place where businesses want to invest.

That will come if there is a reliable water supply, a stable electricity supply, strict by-law enforcement and a clean environment.

How will you improve conditions in informal settlements and underserved areas within the ward?

Ward 56 doesn’t have too many informal settlements. However, the city is currently looking at formalising informal settlements. I am in favour of this, but it needs to be formalised to the point where they also have meters that will bill them for the services they would receive.

What is your plan to address infrastructure problems such as potholes, sewage spills, streetlights and illegal dumping?

To address these issues, I will have to continue to foster positive relationships with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), Johannesburg Water, City Power and the JMPD, respectively.

Just to touch on illegal dumping, I have done several videos highlighting the concerns around illegal dumping. I am hoping that the new administration will embark on a public campaign which highlights the dangers of illegal dumping.

How will you ensure municipal funds allocated to the ward are spent transparently and effectively?

Currently, Wards in Johannesburg, unlike in Cape Town, do not receive ward-based budgets. I am hoping that this will be addressed when the new administration implements an institutional review. At the moment, everyone makes submissions to the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and really hopes that some of the submissions get due consideration.

In terms of trying to get transparency, I regularly ask questions in Council, which the respective Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs) are obliged to respond to.

What programmes or initiatives would you introduce for young people, women and vulnerable residents in the community?

I would continue to advocate for opportunity centres, where people can go to be upskilled to come to the ward. The city also needs to reopen shelters for the homeless and vulnerable groups.

If elected, how will residents be able to hold you accountable and measure your progress over the next five years?

I believe that over the past two terms I have served, I have been accessible and accountable to my constituents. My promise has always been to be someone in their corner, fighting for their issues, and I use my social media platforms to communicate what I am doing. Quarterly public meetings are also something to strive for.