Plans to render basic services to the already struggling and frustrated residents of Bekkersdal will soon be implemented.
This was revealed at a press briefing conference in Marshaltown on 29 October where Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane announced that intervention to improve the standard of living in Bekkersdal would be put in place.
This comes after the three-weeks long violent protest actions by residents of the area who took to the streets and burned down municipal property worth approximately R11.2 million.
In addition to running water, electricity and proper sanitation, residents demanded the disbandment of the Westonaria Local Municipality and the resignation of Executive Mayor Nonkoliso Tundzi and her entire top management team.
Speaking to journalists, Mokonyane said that the damage to property would be a setback to service delivery and would also put a strain on future plans.
“The damage to property is a setback because resources that could have gone to development will have to be used to repair damages.
“However, we have plans in place.
“We are going to work vigorously on the West Rand, particularly in Bekkersdal”
“The plan is for Mogale City to be the anchor of future developments and I ask that residents rally behind development projects.”
Mokonyane also told journalists that the process of implementing services in Bekkersdal would be tough as the budget was thin.
“The immediate reality is that the revenue is very thin and we need help,” says Mokonyane.
Meanwhile, West Rand District Municipality Executive Mayor Mpho Nawa and the Westonaria Local Municipality Executive Mayor Nonkoliso Tundzi said that the announcement of development plans were not triggered by the protest actions.
“We are not responding to the protests.
“Our plan is to build a better future for the people of the West Rand,” Nawa said.
Mokonyane announced that there would be an inter-governmental task team consisting of the National and Provincial Departments of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Performance and Monitoring and the Treasury.
“The team will work closely with the Westonaria Local Municipality to deal with government issues and setting up sound management practices.”
It is understood that the team will remodel the municipality’s credit control system and put in place a functional billing system.
It is also expected to review the indigent policy.
Out of the approximately 40 000 households in Westonaria, around 16 000 of them are in informal settlements.
A total of 13 000 of these informal households are situated Bekkersdal alone.
A large number of residents in these households are indigent, meaning that they rely on the government to assist with their household rates.
Mokonyane sais allegations of nepotism, fraud, corruption and financial mismanagement within the Westonaria Local Municipality will be investigated.
“The outcome of the investigation will ultimately indicate how we proceed.”
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