Mzi Khumalo, Executive Mayor of the Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) recently addressed issues and suggested solutions in different wards in Randfontein.
The Integrated Development Planning (IDP) of Ward 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9 was addressed first.
Khumalo outlined the following issues:
• The Elandsvlei housing settlement (Afri-Village) development that will accommodate the Master informal settlement
• The Jabulani housing development that will accommodate the community of Jabulani
• The construction and rehabilitation of roads in all those wards, which started in May 2017 and are ongoing
• The functionality of the state-of-the-art Randgate Clinic and Bird Sanctuary
According to Tshidiso Tlharipe, RWCLM spokesperson, the community appreciated all the proposals, but urged the Mayor to fast-track the formalisation of informal settlements.
Khumalo then went to Ward 5, which covers the Randfontein CBD, Aureus, Oasis Manor and a portion of Homelake to deliver the IDP and Budget Review for the January 2018 adjustment budget process.
He highlighted the following achievements:
• The process of transfer of rental stock of Westergloor, Dick Powell Villas,Trichardoord and Sweet Valley to the rightful owners
• The 16 roads in Ward 5 that have been rehabilitated since May 2017, and that the work is ongoing
• The library will be built next to the municipal offices (construction will start in February 2018 and will take two months to complete)
• The installation of 110 street light fittings in Oasis Manor
• The call centre, which will operate on a two-shift system 24/ 7
“To our dismay only one member of the community stood up and raised concern regarding municipal basic charges for business owners. The work done in Ward 5 therefore reflects an institution in motion,” said Tlharipe.
A few days later Khumalo presented the IDP and Budget Review to the community of Wards 11, 13 and 18.
These are some of the important items he highlighted:
• The second phase of the Mohlakeng Ext 11 housing development
• Electrification of the 90 new two-room houses
• The Ekasi Lab free Wi-Fi services for the youth
• The beautification of Ralerata Street
• The rehabilitation of 13 streets within the three wards
• The electrification of Mohlakeng hostel and Mohlakeng Ext 11 429 houses
“The community acknowledged the achievements but requested that we increase work on the maintenance of parks, street lights and illegal dumping sites,” said Tlharipe.
The fifth day of the compulsory interaction with the community it was the turn of Wards 16 and 21 where the IDP and Budget Review meeting was well attended.
The following were the supreme issues that Khumalo raised:
• The discussion around two-room houses and relocation of rightful owners
• The seven roads that have been resurfaced on the two wards since May 2017
• The need for enforcement of by-laws as some traders put up structures without council approval
• The resurfacing of Ramasia Street in Ward 16
• The need for ward councillors to hold public meetings
• The need to speedily consider scrap-yard dwellers on a new housing list
The community appreciated the report as presented by Khumalo but raised the following concerns:
• The need for the municipality to reconsider arrears on two-room houses. This is compounded by the fact that some of those who contributed towards the arrears are relocating to new houses
• The failure of the ward councillor to convene public meetings. He committed to assisting and tabling the matter before the community of Ward 21
• Housing disputes, for which the municipality has agreed to start a campaign
• Disputes about those who are to relocate from two-room houses
“The days’ engagement reflected that when councillors fail to take responsibility of their wards, uncertainty begins to reflect in our communities,” said Tlharipe.
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