The South African Communist Party (SACP) and Cosatu protested in Mbonani Mayisela Street in front of the Standerton Town Hall about several issues faced by the working class and the poor on Friday, 26 July.
The singing and dancing however, were of a serious nature since they threatened a complete shutdown of the town if their demands are not met.
Standerton Police were monitoring the situation and a copy of their memorandum was handed to the Standerton Advertiser, stating their main concerns:
• High rental fees and high bond rates
• Some of the employed are still living with their parents
• Living conditions for those in shacks do not allow privacy
• Service delivery with regard to electricity supply, water provision and sewage spillage is a serious concern
• Escalation of crime due to blackouts
• Workers can not prepare for work and be on time at the workplace
• Speaker of the Lekwa Municipality does not communicate the council’s challenges
• Ward committees do not help the local people
They demanded that land be made available with immediate effect, workers be provided with sites and allowed to build their own houses, and workers renting from government departments and the private sector be granted ownership.
The memorandum alluded especially to the Department of Public Works, Transnet, Eskom, Lekwa Municipality and Seriti with the last demand and 14 days were given for a response.
The SACP has been actively involved with picketing earlier as well.
A group of the Matalaza branch came out guns blazing, about the delay in the construction of the R23 on Friday, 19 July and had a memorandum ready with their concerns.
The party followed it up with another gathering on Thursday, 25 July during which the above concern, as well as service delivery, came under the spotlight.
According to them, the community is adversely affected, especially learners of Matalazi Primary School with the delay in the road construction.
They said the standstill is against the principle of providing safe and accessible public transport and demanded that the Lekwa Municipality guides the construction of the road.
At the first picket, a 14-day period was given for a response from Lekwa and the document made provision to be signed by Sanral and Lekwa.
According to Mr Nkosinathi Dladla of the SACP, the invited stakeholders did not come and no apologies were sent.
The police arrived after the gathering dispersed.
Mr Dladla considered the second gathering a success with close to 100 people attending and Ms Banana Mollo of Lekwa was present, as well as Lt-Col Fannie Motubane, station commander of the Standerton Police.
No representatives from Sanral however, attended. A memorandum about service delivery was handed to the municipality and 14 days were given for a response.
The memorandum expressed their frustration about a constitutional right not being observed.
The newspaper will closely follow developments.
More photos here:
https://standertonadvertiser.co.za/94836/gallery-sacp-cosatu-makes-good-promise-protest/
