Residents Action Group (RAG) and Better Bedfordview launched a campaign to save Bedfordview.
They are demanding effective and efficient service delivery in Ward 20 from the City of Ekurhuleni.
“We can no longer tolerate the total lack of service delivery in Bedfordview, our town has become a disgrace,” said RAG chairperson Marina Constas.
“We demand that the City engages with our community and honour its constitutional obligations to residents and ratepayers in Ward 20.”
Non-profit community organisation RAG, as part of its Better Bedfordview initiative, recently launched a petition for residents to sign.
The petition, together with a detailed letter, will be served to Ekurhuleni executive mayor Mzwandile Masina and Gauteng Premier David Makhura.
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Constas said it will also be lodged with the Parliament of South Africa. “Sewage flows down our streets, litter bins are not emptied, our parks, pavements and green belts are overgrown and unkempt, with waist-high weeds and our roads are full of potholes.
“There are no road markings, streetlights do not work, paving is broken and collapsing, broken and missing manhole covers are never replaced, stormwater drains are smashed and blocked, causing dangerous flooding of roads during every rainy season, there are water bursts and water wastage because ageing and inadequate infrastructure are never replaced or maintained.
“There are beggars and homeless people at every intersection and living under bridges.” Constas said the SA Constitution (Section 152) states the main objectives of local government includes ensuring the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner and promoting a safe and healthy environment.
“Ekurhuleni metro is failing dismally to achieve these objectives. It has been failing the people of Bedfordview for too long. The health, safety and quality of life of Bedfordview residents and ratepayers cannot be ignored by the municipality any longer.”
Costas said as one of the largest wards in Ekurhuleni it is time for residents to unite.
“Now is the time to put apathy behind us and now is the time to protest to withhold the over R100-million per year of rates and taxes that Bedfordview contributes to Ekurhuleni coffers.
“Now is the time to demand that we receive the services that Ekurhuleni is constitutionally required to deliver.”
Constas appealed to the residents of Bedfordview to hold the City accountable.
“Our views are informed by our justified perceptions of rampant maladministration, corruption and incapacity in Ekurhuleni municipality,” said Constas.
“The time has come for municipal officials to come out from behind their desks to explain to the residents of Bedfordview exactly what steps will be taken to engage with them.”
She said residents and business owners require pragmatic intervention to find a solution. “Residents in Ward 20 are well aware of the fact that monies collected in the form of rates and taxes must be shared in a fair and reasonable manner; however, we will not allow the ward to deteriorate further,” said Constas.
To the sign RAG and Better Bedfordview’s petition, visit: https://www.petitions.net/save_bedfordview_demand_efficient_and_effective_municipal_service_delivery_now
A request for comment was sent to the CoE spokesperson and the office of the executive mayor on February 3, requesting comment by February 5 at 2pm.
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