Shack burned at Santa Village
A shack that burned at Santa Village recently has caused problems with some members who felt that the family was let down and the truth was not told as it happened.
The shack belonging to Mrs Etty Selinda burned on Wednesday, February 19 at about 18:30 when a family member was called after neighbours saw smoke coming out of the house. The three-bedroom house burned to the ground and nothing was saved from the inferno.
Two cars parked outside the shack were saved from the burning house. Four beds, a fridge, a cupboard, a coal stove, washing machine, a microwave oven, three television sets, an old engine, blankets, clothes, pots and dishes, documents, car tyres and other items all burned to ashes in the fire. The value of the lost items in the fire is estimated to be in the region of R200 000.
A letter from the group who marched on Friday March 7 stated that: “Truly speaking the ANC ward councilor has failed us and lied to the family and the community at large. On Thursday, February 20, he promised Mrs Etty Selinda that he will offer them a house in Klarinet. The poor mum struggled to find iron sheets, she tried to challenge MRTT and Mugnum Metal and all companies requested a confirmation letter from the ward councilor and he (Councilor Taylor Pookgoadi), failed to produce it.
We continue to say that it was not the efforts of the ANC that acted in stabilising the fire and rebuilding the temporary structure, it was the joint community of Santa Village.
After the march the community members held a meeting with Cllr Pookgoadi and city administrator Mr Van Vuuren. Cllr confirmed meeting the group, but said he never promised the family a house in Klarinet, only to say that there is a process to be followed when houses are allocated from the provincial department. He said that they are busy with that process presently and also added that the family was provided with 15 iron sheets.
“I am prepared to write a letter for Ms Selinda to any company provided they can give me the names so that I can also talk with them,” explained Cllr Pookgoadi.
*The group were marching among other things for basic services like, electricity in the form of prepaid meters, basic water reticulation, proper sanitation, the right to land, the upgrade of Santa village, the restructuring of main street, naming of streets, creation of a concrete wall palisade for the railway line, refuse removal, failing which they threatened to dump on the public road, also requesting an environment assessment, geological report, reference report from the surveying team which indicated that Santa Village is improper for human settlement and the tarring or paving or daily watering of the heavy vehicle road opposite the wall fence of Samacor, the residents also demanded compensation to a fallen comrade who passed away while money was detained for participating in a community protest. The residents also want proper street pipe and emergency water main pipes and an emergency fire fighting standby vehicle to be stationed at Santa Hospital.
“We demand a full detailed report on the issue of R2.4 million donated by Ferromentals to develop Santa Village. We request a financial report of 2009 Santa Village. A sum of R60 000 was allocated and only three taps were installed. We request leadership direction, because our local councilor gave us information and lastly he ran away from a meeting on August 4 in 2012” reads part of the memorandum handed and they requested a response as well.
