LIMPOPO – Seeds of hope were planted on Sunday in Mzombane village by the Mogalakwena Mayor, Parks Sebatjane and the Executive Mayor of the Waterberg District Municipality, Tlotlanang Mogotlane after they listened to the pleas of the residents of the last 12 years.
Mzombane village is situated about 10 km’s outside Mokopane and is home to more than 3 000 households, of which none has electricity or basic services such as running water.
According to a media statement by the Mogalakwena Municipality: “The municipalities are responsible for the provision of water for household and electricity delivery. It is for that reason that the executive mayors, Mogotlane and Sebatjane, met with the community.”
The Mzombane community was given the platform on Sunday to raise their concerns.
Some of the problem areas discussed include the provision of water, electricity, roads, and the clearing of the graveyard.
In his response, Sebatjane acknowledged that with more than 3 000 households, it has been long overdue that the community of Mzombane received basic services.
“The provision of water and electricity is a top priority for us. The Eskom technicians are working hard to finish with the designs by no later than March.
“We are hopeful that sometime in April or May the electrification project will commence. Currently there is three water boreholes to supply this village and I believe those boreholes will be equipped in five weeks. The technical services team will have to inspect to see if those boreholes have sufficient water underground.”
Sebatjane and Mogotlana encouraged the community to hold them accountable on what they’ve said during the meeting.
Beyers Smit, DA Political Head for Mogalakwena and Member of National Council of Provinces, said: “The DA will take the hopes and aspirations of the Mzombane community to parliament if the ANC-run Mogalakwena Municipality does not keep to their promises.
“Accountability also includes keeping them accountable at the ballot box.”
Matsobane Masenya, chairperson of the Mzombane committee, told Bosveld on Tuesday: The community is very happy with the outcome of the meeting. We have a saying ‘lafata gale leboe feela,’ which means, when you dig you will come up with something. Together the committee of Mzombane ‘dug’ and now our pleas are being answered.”
