eMBALENHLE – Residents of Azania who invaded land in Ext 22 wrote a letter to Ms Thandi Ngxonono, executive mayor, in which they demand service delivery in the area.
They described themselves as landless people who are appealing to Govan Mbeki Municipality to provide them with essential services such as water, sanitation, roads and electricity.
Attached to the letter was the signatures of about 800 residents of Marikana.
Mr John Mahlangu, community leader, and EFF member said it is the prerogative of the local government to provide these services.
“We believe that as citizens of the country and voters of this country, it is our right to have proper infrastructure.
“We hope and trust that our request will be highly conceded and expects a positive response within 14 days.”
The rapid increase in land invasion in the area began in early 2017.
More than 500 shacks were erected in the area and are now close to a river.
It is alleged that each resident paid R100 to the leaders for administration purposes before they erected their shacks.
The invasion was led by Mr Mahlangu who made it clear he was not backing down on the issue of land grabbing.
In the past he told the newspaper he would not stop to encourage residents to invade land.
The residents of Azania have been associated with water and electricity theft.
It is alleged they even had an illegal transformer and the matter was reported to the municipality.
The municipal law enforcer, led by Mr Robert Mashiane, went there and disconnected all the illegal connections in the area.
Azania residents had a big argument with the Ext 22 residents who own RDP houses, over illegal connections and various cases were opened.
Govan Mbeki Municipality has in the past condemned land invasion and opened a criminal case against Mr Mahlangu.
They also suspended him as a street committee member in March.
However, the case was set aside in the Evander Magistrate’s Court because there was apparently not enough evidence to constitute a criminal case.
The Ridge Times contacted Mr Bheki Kubheka, municipal spokesman, who said he was not aware of the letter and would follow up and then respond.
He failed to do that however at time of going to the press.
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