The Executive Mayor’s whirlwind itinerary across the City has highlighted service delivery lapses concerning illegally built structures, water leaks, and illegal electricity connections, which he’s vowed to repair with promptitude.
Cllr Jolidee Matongo says one of the focus areas for service delivery improvements is hostels and informal settlements, because they are usually marginalised during the provision of basic municipal services.
Overseeing service delivery shortfalls and implementation projects at the Cleveland hostel in Denver, Cllr Matongo notes that this tenement is riddled with non-functioning toilets and illegal dumping, which he’s promised to eradicate.
He’s handed over four portable toilets to residents of the Denver hostel to restore their dignity and says more work will follow in the coming weeks as the City ramps up service delivery improvements within the current term of office.
The Mayor, who also monitored repairs on a stolen copper cable in City Deep, which recently plunged the Joburg Market into relative darkness for almost 48 hours, has appealed to community members to protect public infrastructure.
“A few days ago there was a cable stolen outside the Joburg Market, which resulted in there being power outages and the loss of millions in stock because storage facilities were not working. The aftermath of cable theft is felt greatly by small businesses that stock up produce from the Market. Residents need to play their part in reporting such economic sabotage,” Cllr Matongo says.
The JMPD has since deployed a task team to track and trace the cable thieves in an effort to curb similar incidents from reoccurring in the areas affected by the recent theft, including City Deep and Denver.
In addition, Cllr Matongo says small businesses, particularly car washes in Malvern, need to guard against wasting water.
“The City encourages trade and the operation of small businesses however, we strongly condemn the wastage of precious resources,” he says.
The Mayor has also promised the community of George Koch that the provision of basic services and civic education around the dangers of alcohol abuse and xenophobia will continue in a bid to build sustainable communities.
Written by Gontse ‘GeE’ Hlophe
22/09/2021