As part of the coverage of the upcoming local elections, Midrand Reporter has asked some of the ward councillor hopefuls to weigh in on residents’ burning issues.
This week, Economic Freedom Fighter’s Lerato Sibisi, a Ward 132 councillor candidate, answers some of the issues.
Q: In light of Midrand’s growing population, are there any suggestions on how to increase the number of public schools, clinics and public recreational facilities?
A: Installation of mobile units, schools and clinics will go a long way in helping with this. I will advocate the identification of land that we can build on. Most residents of Ward 132 do not own the land that they live on or even the house that they live in. They are renting. We need to identify land and build on it to meet people’s needs.
Q: Traffic congestion is a problem in Midrand. Will robots and lanes be added on such roads?
A: There needs to be the introduction of remote access to robots for traffic officials to control traffic at certain time frames remotely. CCTV cameras at robots will not only assist with the crime that occurs at intersections such as smash and grabs but it will also help in controlling traffic on priority routes.
Read: Local municipality candidate answers the community’s questions
Q: The crime rate is increasing. What are your suggestions to curb this trend?
A: The deployment of more police to work like security guards and traffic cops. They need to roam around all neighbourhoods, regardless of the socio-economic backgrounds of the area.
Q: Midrand is seemingly plagued by potholes and dysfunctional streetlights. What is your solution for this?
A: Where flooding is a normal occurrence, a different type of tar should be applied on the road. One which can withstand the weather conditions and doesn’t easily erode to form potholes. My solution for streetlights is the installation of solar-powered streetlights.
Q: How would you tackle the common occurrence of burst sewerage and water pipes?
A: Both sewerage and water pipes burst because of the same reason. Plastic and asbestos pipes are installed to sustain large communities.
The best remedy is to take out those pipes and substitute them with steel pipes which are coated in order to protect the pipe. These can last much longer than 40 years. We would require field advice from a pipe expert, of course.
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