Note to Editors: Please find attached English soundbite by Cllr Thulani Mbana, Afrikaans soundbite by Cllr Louis van Heerden, and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Lebohang Chalala.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will write to the Department of Human Settlements to compel the Metsimaholo Local Municipality to prioritise service delivery and infrastructure upgrades in informal settlements urgently.
The municipality has been under fire for the existence of informal settlements. Residents of the municipality’s informal settlements are speaking out about the dire conditions they face, citing neglect and a lack of basic services. Despite promises of upgrades and development, many residents continue to live without access to clean water, sanitation, and electricity.
Section 152 (1)(b) of the South African Constitution, together with 153(a), states that it is the objective of the municipality to ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner and give priority to the basic needs of the community.
Section 73 of the Municipal Systems Act also states that the municipality must ensure that all members of the local municipality have access to a minimum basic service.
The municipality’s inaction has led to poor living conditions. Residents are forced to live in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, with limited access to basic services.
The lack of communication has led the residents to feel ignored and uninformed about the development plans and progress. The residents also face health risks. The absence of proper sanitation and waste management has led to the spread of diseases and other health concerns.
The community is calling on the municipality to prioritise the delivery of basic services and to provide access to clean water, sanitation, and electricity in informal settlements. Some residents have illegal connections to water and electricity, which costs the municipality.
The municipality must engage with the residents by holding meetings and providing updates on the development plans and progress.