BETHAL – The Bethal branch of the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) challenged the Govan Mbeki Municipality to provide answers about the unfinished projects in their area.
The civil organisation said they are sick and tired of the lack of accountability from municipal officials and councillors.
Mr Sputnik van der Merwe, secretary, said the string of unfinished projects within the Bethal area has prompted the organisation to demand answers from the municipality.
“Our action is motivated by the lack of community meetings by the councillors, and the lack of clear answers on the rare occasions when those meetings are held. We want to know why is the Bethal recreation park unfinished? We heard rumours that it has been leased to either a private company or individual.
“We want the municipality to provide us with a council resolution that includes the reasons for the lease. The multi-purpose centre in Extension 4 and 5 is decaying and vandalised without it being officially opened.
“The Bethal Dam has become a white elephant. The community deserves to know what is happening there and why was the other side closed? Why is the stadium at Joubert Park being neglected and left vulnerable to vandalism? This also includes eMzinoni Stadium.
“In our understanding, during the previous municipal budget, R10 million was set aside for the repairs and reconstruction of Victor Khayiyane Road. Up to date this has not happened. We want to know why the project to convert the hostel into family units has not been finished since 2010. In 2014 a project named Smart Growth was initiated through the Govan Mbeki Municipality for Extension 11, eMzinoni. “
Sanco wants to know why the municipality never negotiated for an alternative toll free route for commuters at the time when Sanral took over the N17 and built toll gates.
The Govan Mbeki Municipality did not answer most of these questions.
They did however respond to the questions about the hostel conversion project and Smart Growth.
Mr Benzi Soko, chief of staff, said the hostel conversion project was delayed by tenants who were resisting to move out of the old flats to the stands that they have bought from the municipality.
He said some tenants refused to take occupation of the alternative sites even though they were approved for low cost houses.
“It was delayed by the members of the committee who were negotiating in bad faith by always shifting goal posts whenever solutions were found. Tenants decided to stop the implementing agent from beginning with the construction project.
“They took GMM to court, alleging that the municipality illegally evicted them without providing alternative accommodation. Their argument was rejected by the court. It was also delayed by the contractor who was appointed to build low cost houses for the tenants.
“The contractor alleged that the provincial department of Human Settlement did not pay them for some time.”
The Smart Growth project, according to Mr Soko, was meant to unlock the Extension 13 and 23 double allocations challenge.
He said even before the implementing agent could have begun with the installations of services, Extension 11 was illegally invaded by members of the community.
The invaders were evicted and promised to be allocated after the installation of services.
“The installation was done, however people could not be allocated, because of the challenge of bulk water and sewer.
While there were discussions for assistance of bulk sewer and water, the people began to invade the area again.”
