Ward 89 councillor Carl Mann has slammed residents associations (RAs) in his ward for allegedly sowing division due to personal agendas.
This follows allegations of in-fighting between Little Falls and Strubens Valley Residential Community (Lifco) and MyNeighbour, causing hubbub and sowing division within the community.
“These groups must stop being hideous and stop sowing divisions in the community because of personal agendas,” Mann warned, who distanced himself, making it clear that he was not getting involved in RA politics, but indicated he was eager to work with any registered, legitimate organisation in a bid to uplift the community.
“I’m not going to pick and choose; I’m willing to work with any properly registered, legitimate organisation,” he explained.
An increase in criminal activities in recent years, which have caused harm in the area, led residents to unite and form a community forum with hopes of addressing crime and other municipal-related issues.
Lifco was formed in 2012 and due to different visions over the years, a few members broke away from the forum to start their own forum in 2016 called, MyNeighbour, which has been labelled as a threat to Lifco.
The existence of both forums, with different visions to improve the community, has left residents in the middle of the saga.
Related Story: Park saga divides community
A recent public meeting aimed at addressing the access control issue of the Lakes Park turned ugly, following various arguments from members of both forums, resulting in an alleged division in the community.
One of the founding members of MyNeighbour, Ivan Gurovich acknowledged the ‘perception’ of an existing divide, however, he denied the divide was caused by them or Lifco.
He said, “We do not believe there is a divide in the community or that Lifco and MyNeighbour are creating that divide.
We do, however, acknowledge that the perception of a divide exists.
“We will continue to help neighbours come together and, hopefully, those inactive neighbours will realise this so-called divide is nothing more than a perception and all that is needed for this perception to be dispelled is for them to become active in the community.”
Lifco chairman, Reginal Mazibuko also rubbished the allegation stating, “Lifco has the support from many committed community members, who all wish to work together towards a common goal of safety and security, as well as being a generally happy community, with everyone looking out for each other.”
In hopes of both forums reuniting and working together again, Gurovich told Roodepoort Northsider that the future was unpredictable.
“Unfortunately, we do not have a crystal ball to look into the future to see what may or may not happen,” he responded.
Meanwhile, Mazibuko welcomed MyNeighbour as long as they share the common interest of assisting the community.
“Absolutely and without reservation, as long as each and every person within the community, regardless of how they choose to label themselves, is doing what is good for the collective; this should be the end-goal of any successful community forum,” said Mazibuko.
To find out what these forums stand for and what they do for the community, visit the Lifco website at www.lifco.co.za and MyNeighbour Facebook page.
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