Councillor of Ward 85 Jacqui Uys responds:
I have to concur with Mr Hellberg in his letter dated 18 June, stating that Solomon Mahlangu Road is in a sorry, disgraceful state.
What I, however, disagree with is Mr Hellberg placing the blame of this on the City of Tshwane and myself as ward councillor.
Solomon Mahlangu belongs to the Gauteng province and, although the upkeep thereof is exercised by the City of Tshwane, this can only be done on instruction from the Gauteng province and with a budget provided from them.
The allegation that the City had the authority to change the road name and should, therefore, have the authority to upkeep the road is factually incorrect.
Any sphere of government can propose a street name change; however, the change have to be approved and implemented by the governmental sphere responsible. Therefore, Sputla and Co proposed a name change to Gauteng Province, where the majority ANC rule accepted this change and implemented this.
Residents can sign a petition to be handed to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature on the state of this road at https://chng.it/wkdhBsjCqY.
