Several residents in Benoni were approached for their opinion on the matter.
Wendy Parente is the chairperson of the Cloverdene Ratepayers Association.
She feels her ward, 24, is often neglected and that the plot area of Cloverdene is suffering due to a lack of service delivery.
“Six years ago, the mayor promised the people in the N12 informal settlement he would find them another area for settlement,” Parente said.
“Land in Crystal Park was identified for settlement for these people, but then they might wait another five years for homes.”
Illegal developments in the area is another concern for Parente, who says new block buildings are rife in the suburb, despite the infrastructure remaining stagnant.
“They allow the building of new complexes, but don’t upgrade the pipes, sewerage or electrical supply to accommodate the increase in population,” she said.
Sheryl Naidoo said service delivery and wealth disparity are the biggest issues she has with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
“We have a huge problem with poverty in this area, we need more social workers,” she said.
“The need in these areas is so great. We need the public and government to help.”
Naidoo currently works as a teacher and coordinator of projects and RotaKids at Actonville Primary School.
According to her, there is a problem with drugs in Actonville and the CBD and she feels that there has to be greater visibility from police.
The CBD resident said many of these issues are being tackled by local non-profit organisations, but these groups are limited by finances and manpower.
“People who hold office need to be held accountable to the community,” Naidoo added.
Stephen Rehbock is a Farrarmere resident and horticultural expert.
He feels that service delivery in Benoni is not what it should be.
“We pay rates and taxes and expect reasonable service in return, but in Ekurhuleni it is non-existent,” he said.
“The metro is overstaffed; there are too many managers, but not enough qualified artisans.”
Rehbock added that there is a lack of quality control in Ekurhuleni and too much water is wasted due to leaking pipes.
“Councillors are elected by the people in a ward and have to act in the interests of those residents,” he said.
The local government elections will be held on August 3.
Also read:
This is what you need to do on voting day
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