The Midrand Reporter asked residents to forward their burning questions about problems in the area for Ward 112 candidates of all political parties standing in the upcoming municipal elections.
The following is the response from the Democratic Alliance’s candidate for Ward 112, Madeleine Hicklin. Hicklin is also an executive member of the Blitz Clean, Let’s Clean campaign whose community clean-up efforts have been documented by this publication.
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: The dynamics of Midrand are fast, complex and challenging, and the continued influx of residents has created tremendous pressure on the existing infrastructure. The Integrated Development Plan (IDP) provides for infrastructural development.
An IDP is devised for every major metropolitan city and is headed by an IDP steering committee. The steering committee’s responsibility is to give municipalities an opportunity to respond to community needs, gathered through public participation.
One of the first items on my agenda will be the holding of a public meeting on 28 May. I want to publicly engage with constituents to find out what they want me to do on their behalf – and which items are paramount on their agenda. I will lobby to ensure the needs of my constituents are presented to the City council, and their requirements will be included in the next financial year’s budget (2017/2018). That does not mean that those infrastructural items such as new roads and storm water systems – that are vital to the upgrading of the existing infrastructure – cannot be requested and considered.
When it comes to the provision of additional public schools, this is a provincial matter, not a local municipal issue. I will engage with my colleagues in the Provincial Legislature to ensure that the needs of Midrand are highlighted appropriately. Together we will work tirelessly to ensure that the needs of constituents are listened to and acted upon.
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Q: Traffic congestion is a problem in Midrand, especially on roads such as Harry Galaun Drive. Will robots and lanes be added on such roads?
A: Historically, there have been three waves of investment in Midrand. One was the development of the strip along the Ben Schoeman Highway. The second was the establishment of Ivory Park, and the third was the growth spurt in the building of apartments in Ward 112. Unfortunately, when it comes to those apartments and its densification, the city lagged dramatically in its Capex (capital expenditure) budgets to keep up with the infrastructural demand.
Where there has been an inadequate provision in the IDP, we will use our positions as DA councillors to lobby for additional roads to be built, others to be widened, as well as the creation of appropriately-sized and maintained taxi ranks. All of this will be in response to the needs of our constituents.
Q: The crime rate is increasing. What are your suggestions to curb this trend?
A: The 2015/2016 crime statistics showed that crime in Midrand continued to increase and dramatically afflict the greater community. The majority of crime statistics increased around 100 percent over the 2014/2015 figures. Midrand is severely under-resourced to deal with the policing needs of the community, and is ranked as fourth in Gauteng as a hotspot for Metro police bribes. The DA’s Johannesburg Mayoral Candidate, Herman Mashaba, has promised to crack down on Metro police bribes and reshape the Metro police into a department we can trust.
We cannot rely on the police alone to address crime. We all have to become involved. As a result, the Midrand constituency has created a Visible Policing initiative through which it intends petitioning the Mayoral Committee for Public Safety in Johannesburg to urgently assist us. We will also call on the police national commissioner, the Gauteng police commissioner and the Metro police to implement and strengthen visible and effective policing in our area.
We will demand that our need for a safe, secure society be addressed.
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Q: Midrand (Ward 112) is seemingly plagued by potholes and dysfunctional streetlights. What is your solution for this?
A: These issues will be immediately addressed. I will demand that the Johannesburg Roads Agency does its job.
In the Western Cape – where the DA governs – the issue of potholes is addressed within 24 hours. Dysfunctional streetlights are repaired within 48 hours. We will ensure that this happens in Joburg when the DA runs the city. The establishment of residents associations – across all wards – must be encouraged. All residents need to take an active part in ensuring that City officials do their job. Councillors can’t be everywhere. We need the active participation of residents to report issues to us and enable us, through the provision of information, to make these issues known to the city council.
Q: How would you tackle the common occurrence of burst sewerage and water pipes?
A: In a DA-run city, we will demand that City officials do their jobs. Where issues of burst water pipes occur, we will need residents to report the matter to the City council immediately. The relevant departments will need to be appropriately staffed and managed, and adequately trained maintenance crews employed to carry out repairs timeously. This will also help to address the serious unemployment statistics that plague our city. There have been considerable upgrades, water main and water renewal projects earmarked in the 2016/2017 budget for the greater Midrand area. It is the responsibility of each and every citizen to tackle issues when they see them.
In conclusion, Hicklin said her job would be made easier if residents engaged with councillors and assisted them to ensure that City officials did their job. “It cannot be the responsibility of the councillors alone to address the problems we face,” she said.
Hicklin also invited residents to become part of the branch committee for DA Ward 112. They will be holding an inaugural branch meeting on 1 June at Midrand Montessori School.
Ed’s note: The response to these questions from other political parties’ candidates will be published in due course.
Details: Branch Chairperson Lerato Mphefo, lerato@enoconsults.co.za; ward112jhb@gmail.com; Visible Policing on Facebook
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