The community’s frustrations about service delivery in Standerton finally reached the point where concerned residents decided to get legal advice.
A meeting at Appledew Guest House on Thursday, 11 June at 6pm saw about 50 residents airing their anxieties, opinions and downright anger with the current situation in Standerton.
After deliberations at the guest house, attendees resolved to form a non-political forum that will act in the interests of the whole community.
Lekwa Municipality’s role in attending to the litany of complaints about electricity interruptions, water supply and overflowing sewage was brought to the forefront.
The implications of the Covid-19 situation furthermore, should the curve intensify, do not bode well for any emergency.
An attorney from town, Mr Conrad Cloete, invited senior legal counsel to explain the position when attempting to go the legal route, with Mr Gary van Aswegen organising the meeting.
Care was taken to refer to residents in a similar position who upped the ante and took their municipality to court.
With regard to Section 139 1 (b) of the Constitution, which was invoked at Lekwa, the provincial executive committee of the ANC has intervened and taken responsibility.
Also read:Â Frustrations about service delivery in Standerton heighten
Should an administrator furthermore be appointed down the line, a court will have to decide on the terms of reference.
Conflicting opinions were expressed at the meeting from those advocating not paying for municipal services to those wanting to take the law into their own hands, out of sheer frustration.
Countless examples were offered from financial losses at local businesses due to electricity outages and far-reaching medical implications for those dependent on oxygen.
In these no ordinary times, many residents noticed the impact on appliances when outages occur, and more than one has asked who will foot the bill for replacement.
Learners and students who study online, are sitting ducks when the power goes off and the CBD has noise pollution when generators are switched on.
The main issues of concern are electricity interruptions, water supply, overflowing sewage and road conditions.
Since the situation has escalated to senior councel level, a committee will be formed on Monday, 15 June to facilitate and coordinate what needs to be done.
According to Mr Van Aswegen, the committee is envisaged to have eight community members actively involved in the planning and financing of this uncharted territory.
A short recap of the politics in Mbonani Mayisela Street begs for attention.
The future of the mayor and speaker was decided on Friday, 5 June at a special virtual council meeting and their reinstatement followed.
Mr Linda Dhlamini and Ms Makhosazana Khota once again are at the helm of affairs after the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) was present at the election process.
Both Mr Dhlamini and Ms Khota garnered 20 votes.
They were removed after the DA put motions of no confidence forward as far back as 20 November 2018.
