Note to editors: Please find attached the English video by Cllr Hismajesty Maqhubu
The ANC has yet again displayed its complete disconnect from the needs of the Tokologo community.
The Tokologo Mayor, Boitumelo Seakge allocated housing sites to various individuals in Dikgalaope, Dealesville, part of ward 3, where he is a ward councillor. This area has not been surveyed and no proper residential sites have been developed. There are no streets, street names or even house numbers to identify the property. The decision was taken without a resolution from the council undermining the ability to ensure correct processes are followed.
The municipality had identified 400 sites to be allocated to residents in the area near R703 that links Dealesville and Soutpan in its Integrated Development Planning (IDP). The project was carried forward by the previous council administration. More than R12 million had been allocated towards the project to date, with a top-up of +/- R6 million anticipated to be received in due course in a form of a Municipal Infrastructure Grant. The funds have not been used to ensure suitable infrastructure for the community.
Currently, there is no sanitation of any kind in the area. The new residents have to go to the nearby houses and request to use the neighbours’ toilet facilities about 400 meters away. One of the residents is an 82 years old granny with health challenges and she has to take a long walk to relieve herself in the middle of the night. The inhumane treatment that the poorest of the poor residents are being subjected to by the mayor and his colleagues is horrendous.
The mayor has to answer in council regarding how R12 million allocated for human settlement ended up depleted without erecting a single toilet, tap, and/or proper infrastructure suitable for human beings.
We will not keep quiet on the matter as it is not the first instance of its kind under the same mayor. In October 2021, the mayor undermined the council and acted with his faction of the ANC in allocating 250 sites in Malebogo, Hertzogville for electioneering purposes. The residents were allocated sites in the park near Malebogo clinic and to date, they have no water, toilets, or even streets.
We condemn the erection of these glorified informal settlements that seek to undermine council, the rule of law, and basic fundamental human rights. We further invite SIU and the Hawks to investigate Tokologo Local Municipality MIG thoroughly and uncover the rot within the municipality and its political leadership.