The Democratic Alliance believes the true state of the City of Joburg was more accurately reflected in the repeated Pikitup strikes, service delivery protests and countless traffic lights which do not work.
Joburg Executive Mayor Parks Tau delivered his last State of the City address at Turffontein Race Course on 4 May.
Read the previous story: Tau boasts about City Power’s smart meters
According to the DA, the mayor spoke of a fantasy world in which everything was rosy.
“Reality reflects the opposite,” said DA Johannesburg caucus leader Vasco da Gama. He indicated that thousands of residents complained about shocking housing conditions.
“I am certain the residents of Zandspruit, Itsotseng, Alexandra, Helen Joseph Women’s Hostel, Madala Hostel, Diepkloof Hostel and Kwa-Mai-Mai informal settlement wonder which great city the mayor is referring to. People in these parts of Joburg live in squalor,” he said.
He also stated that in some of the settlements there was no running water, electricity or proper sanitation. “The majority of the people in these areas are unemployed and desperate for basic services,” he said.
Da Gama claimed that rates increases were insults to residents who barely receive basic services. “Cemeteries and parks are neglected, traffic lights and street lights are not working, potholes are getting larger, and some city buildings have been hijacked,” he concluded.
Ward 87 Councillor Amanda Forsythe said listening to the speech felt quite surreal. “It felt like he was describing another city or some idealised reflection of reality. His focus was on innovations that have little impact on basic service delivery,”she said.
She further explained that real issues like ageing electricity and water infrastructure, crumbling roads and constant service delivery breakdowns were not mentioned.
“No mention was made of the fact that Pikitup is still struggling to conduct regular refuse collections, especially in Region B,” she said.
Details: DA Johannesburg, 076 568 9941.
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