WATCH: Residents voice concerns at City of Johannesburg civic engagement session
The City of Johannesburg hosted a civic education and information-sharing session, giving residents a better understanding of its operations and services.
The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) held a civic education and information-sharing session at the South Rand Recreation Centre on February 20.
It invited the Wards 56, 57, and 124a residents to participate.
The session aimed to provide insight into how the city operates, fostering discussions about services and governance in Johannesburg.
Representatives from various city entities, including the revenue department, Joburg Water and City Power, engaged with residents and addressed their concerns.
The residents could ask questions, share experiences, and better understand the city’s services and governance structures.
Representatives from each entity introduced themselves and explained what their departments or entities did.
Thando Nguoye, a representative of the revenue department, explained that communities and government need to work together.
@comaro.chronicle Thando Nguoye, a representative of the revenue department, explained that communities and government need to work together. “As the revenue department, we deal with setting up a budget for the city. Maintenance, development and considering the community’s concerns are part of how we formulate a budget. To distribute revenue, we must receive revenue. Therefore, we urge residents to work with us, especially if they are unemployed and can’t pay,” said Nguoye.
“As the revenue department, we deal with setting up a budget for the city. Maintenance, development and considering the community’s concerns are part of how we formulate a budget. To distribute revenue, we must receive revenue. Therefore, we urge residents to work with us, especially if they are unemployed and can’t pay,” said Nguoye.
Joburg Water representative Lindiwe Mkase spoke about how to report water issues.
@comaro.chronicle Joburg Water representative Lindiwe Mkase spoke about how to report water issues. “We need the community’s help to help us identify water issues in areas. The water supply issues were addressed in Tulisa Park last week, and we thank the community for their patience,” said Mkase.
“We need the community’s help to help us identify water issues in areas. The water supply issues were addressed in Tulisa Park last week, and we thank the community for their patience,” said Mkase.
City Power representatives came under fire because some communities haven’t had electricity for more than four days.
“We understand that electricity supply is a major issue in the area. We encourage the community to report issues through the ward WhatsApp groups, where the councillors send us escalation queries. This method is more efficient because we get information about where to send our teams,” said City Power representative Koketjo Chaba.
@comaro.chronicle “We understand that electricity supply is a major issue in the area. We encourage the community to report issues through the ward WhatsApp groups, where the councillors send us escalation queries. This method is more efficient because we get information about where to send our teams,” said City Power representative Siphenehlo Koketso.
Councillors Faeeza Chame and Michael Crichton addressed the residents’ concerns about Joburg Water and City Power officials asking for bribes to do their jobs and contractors impersonating officials.
“Please report any illicit activity to the City Power hotline,“ said Crichton.
“Ask anyone claiming to be an official to produce their identity card to ensure they are who they say they are. You also have the right not to allow them in your yard if you don’t feel comfortable,” said Chame.
@comaro.chronicle Councillors Faeeza Chame and Michael Crichton addressed the residents’ concerns about Joburg Water and City Power officials asking for bribes to do their jobs and contractors impersonating officials. “Please report any illicit activity to the City Power hotline,“ said Crichton. “Ask anyone claiming to be an official to produce their identity card to ensure they are who they say they are. You also have the right not to allow them in your yard if you don’t feel comfortable,” said Chame.
The residents were still upset about the lack of service delivery from all the entities – the damaged roads and electricity and water supplies seem to be worsening with time, they said.
However, the CoJ stands by the fact that hosting such sessions demonstrates its commitment to transparency, accountability, and community engagement.
The future success of these sessions could highlight the importance of civic education and community engagement in building a better, more responsive city.
