Community cleans streets, playing fields

Residents of Seshego’s Zone 5 joined hands on Saturday morning to clean the streets, playing fields and open spaces of their neighbourhood.
Community members who participated in the clean-up said they decided on the initiative following alleged failure by Polokwane Municipality’s waste section to remove waste in the area. They also said they felt neglected and undermined by the municipality’s waste section that failed to heed their call.
Mesile Kutumela, a resident of the area said they wanted to change the mind set of some of their fellow community members who seem not to care about their environment. “We took it upon ourselves to clean the area because we are not getting any joy from Polokwane Municipality’s waste section in terms of helping the community to clean the area. We requested them to come and clean the area and we are still waiting for them. We also asked them to put up notice boards to discourage illegal dumping but all our efforts remain futile. We want to live in a healthy and clean environment. This is our residential area and we want it to be attractive,” Kutumela said.
Spokesperson for Polokwane Municipality, Matshidiso Mothapo said he was not aware of the allegations. “We are going to investigate the matter. However, we are open to initiatives that come from the community. We have supported cleaning initiatives in Seshego led by ward councillors who assisted in leading the initiatives and making necessary arrangements in the past,” Mothapo said.

Story and photos: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert.observer@gmail.com