For the past 17 years, the residents of Freedom Park in Villa Liza are still bitter over the lack of services in the area.
In curbing some of the grievances of residents, the Ekurhuleni metro did its part to reach out to the community by distributing 270 chemical toilets to some of the residents at the beginning of May. More than 700, however, are still waiting for such service.
Community leader Themba Nkani said after they noticed that the chemical toilets that were delivered were not enough, they then gave the Ekurhuleni metro employees the right number of residents who are still without the facility.
The community is still waiting.
“I was told that the reason the municipality delivered to few toilets was that they didn’t get the correct figure of how many shacks are in Freedom Park,” said Nkani.
“The contractor confirmed that they got the numbers, following our intervention, but they are still waiting for the councillor to put through the claim then they can deliver.
“We haven’t seen the councillor in ages. He hasn’t even come here after the distribution of these toilets to see if everything was fine.”
Nkohliso Mfikanye, who is among the 712 residents who haven’t received a toilet, said she was saddened by the state of affairs.
“We have been waiting for these toilets since May because they promised to bring them but it seems that we were being fooled,” Mfikanye said.
Another resident, Julius Tshiaume, said: “It’s hard for us to understand because we don’t know if we will get those toilets or not whereas some people got them. I have been a resident of Freedom Park for a long time but I still haven’t seen any development taking place.
“When were moved from Ramaphosa, the metro promised us heaven and earth but up until now we don’t have electricity, water, no RDP houses or roads.”
Beauty Nomatyndyo is one of the lucky residents who received a toilet.
“The toilets are good and safe for children but we still need more services,” Nomatyndyo said.
Ward 99 councillor Mduduzi Luvalo has not yet responded on the matter.
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