The City of Joburg under DA administration together with South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) Zone 7, South African Police Service (SAPS), Johannesburg Water (JW), City Power and residents from both Braamfischerville and Doorenkop converged at Moses Kotane Primary School main hall to address some of service delivery challenges faced by the residents.

Residents of both Braamfisherville and Doornkop raised issues of concerns including gravel roads, street lights, sewerage system, prepaid water meters, crime and other issues.

The MMC of Environment and Infrastructure Nico Dejager provided residents with clarity on how to escalate issues with his office in case the Municipal Owned Entities (MOEs) don’t respond timeously to the needs and challenges encountered by residents regarding service delivery.

He emphasised the willingness of the municipality to work with all the residents for a better responsive City.

MMC Dejager also indicated that the City has looked at the better ways to enhance and promote public participation particular during Integrated Development Planning (IDP) process with more emphases on a down-up approach unlike in the past whereby communities were consulted to rubber stamp decisions made by municipalities.

These processes will take place as from October this year. MMC Dejager also spoke about Are Sebetseng programme which seeks to conscientize residents about illegal dumping and the negative effects of not keeping the environment clean.

He also touched on the issue of water preservation and the issue of indigent and low income earning members of the community registering on the Expanded Social Package (ESP) programme to benefit from the new 10kl-15kl of water per month offered by the City.

Sanco Zone 7 Deputy Chairperson Setlamorago Thobejane was pleased about the response made by MMC Dejager.

He said they managed to meet with the Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba who promised to visit all the RDP township within Zone 7.

“It is our mandate as SANCO to highlight community concerns to the relevant authority which we perfectly did in our last meeting with MMC Dejager.

“Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba is expected to conduct a site inspection in Braamfisherville then proceed to Doornkop, Slovoville and Tshepisong on September 18 from 10 am until late.

“We are optimistic that the inspection will deliver desirable outcomes for the benefit of the community,” said Thobejane.

DA PR Councillor Molefi Mabe expressed his gratitude that political parties within Zone 7 areas participated in the public meeting.

He said this is the start of greater things ahead with more residents participating in building the beautiful City of Joburg.

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