W’aria residents take matters into their own hands
... and form a branch of AfriForum – 51 members already have signed up.
Residents of Venterspost and its neighbouring areas, including Westonaria, are still defiant towards the Westonaria Local Municipality and have not come to terms with the increase in tariff rates.
Owing to this they have taken matters into their own hands and established their own branch of AfriForum – a civil rights organisation – to help communicate their concerns to the Westonaria Local Municipality.
This was done at Venterspost Primary School on Wednesday night (2 July) and comes after the municipality approved what residents refer to as ‘a ridiculous’ 40 per cent tariff increases as of 1 July.
The increase saw residents up in arms and digging deep into their pockets to keep their lights on and have water in their homes.
According to community member and newly appointed chairperson of AfriForum in Westonaria, Mike van Deventer, the establishment of the forum will bring justice to residents of the area.
“The municipality does not seem to care much about our concerns and we have seen this on numerous occasions, especially with the tariff increases,” Van Deventer said.
“We complained endlessly about the fact that we cannot afford their proposals prior to the increases being implemented, but nothing was done about it,” Van Deventer continued.
He said that the municipality now will have to run things past the forum and address residents’ issues accordingly.
Failure to this the provincial and national bodies will be forced to intervene and find a way forward that will be fair to all parties.
According to Van Deventer, 51 people joined their local forum so far.
They are looking to recruit more members and anyone interested is urged to contact the branch’s secretary, Esther Swart on 073 2691 402.
The herald approached Westonaria Local Municipality spokesperson Kgabane Madiehe to hear the municipality’s take on the establishment of the forum. He says that he will consult with the relevant department within council and revert back with comment in due course.
