Will Government listen?

Next week, residents will once again be able to make their voices heard when the possibility of Merafong being amalgamated into a metro will be under discussion.
When the first meeting to discuss the proposed merger was held more than two years ago, most of the residents present said they would oppose the metro plans. The second meeting on the matter was held about two months ago.
During this event, the meeting had to be called off after the convenors announced that it was not open to debate, or for public complaints.
Those who attended expressed their unhappiness at the proposal by toyi-toyiing outside the venue.
Why is it that Government appears to be going ahead with the plans, despite the fact that residents obviously do not support it?
Merafong, especially Khutsong, has a history of not taking big government decisions sitting down, especially if they do not appear to benefit the community.
During the process of dealing with the proposal, it was evident that very little was being done to listen to the public or incorporate their views into possible plans.
The next meeting about the matter, which, according to the Municipal Demarcation Forum, will be the last before a decision about the amalgamation of the West Rand is taken, will be held next week.
Let’s hope that, for the benefit of the communities that will be affected, the organisers listen to them this time, and make their decision based on what is honestly best for all the people and not just for a few individuals.