Residents want councillor to step down
R28 protest continues even after Mayor engages in talks with Mohlakeng residents.
The protest that broke out on the R28 next to Mohlakeng extension 11 on Tuesday still continues and motorists are feeling the brunt.
Randfontein police urge residents not to use the R28 in the late afternoon or early evening until the issue has been dealt with. The protests are as a result of water and electricity being cut in extension 11 as well as the community wanting ANC Ward Councillor Mtyotywe to step down.
The initial complaint goes back a few days when a woman called in ENCA news because of a water leak that had ran her account up.
Chiya states that for people living in RDP houses, should anything break on their house like a water pipe for instance, they are responsible for the fixing thereof.
“People in RDP houses must take care of them. We as the municipality do not want to be involved in the working of their homes,” Lucky Chiya, spokesperson for the Randfontein Executive Mayor said.
He continues to say that any water or electricity be wasted as a result of a broken fixture on the house, is the responsibility of the owner to pay.
According to Chiya, the mayor had spoken to residents of extension 11 Mohlakeng.
“When the mayor addressed them, they understood what she had to say and as far as we are concerned, the issue was clarified. The issue was a misunderstanding of the municipal billing system with regards to the credit policy,” Chiya said.
This seems like a contradiction as residents of Mohlakeng extension 11 were once again on the R28, throwing stones at passing cars and did well to damage some.
Chiya speculates that there is another reason for the protest.
“When we addressed them and clarified the issue of billing, they raised other issues like wanting a new ward Councillor which is possibly why they took to the streets again,” he said.
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