Clive Beckett (email)
I am writing this letter in response to that of Brenda Beckett and subsequent correspondence. It is a sad state of affairs when one has to read in a local newspaper how local politicians and councillors attempt to justify their incompetence and lack of service delivery with political bickering. Instead of passing the buck they should get into their luxury vehicles and take a drive through their constituencies and experience firsthand, the slow decay of a once vibrant Roodepoort.
Why should it be necessary for us as residents and business people who diligently pay our rates and taxes, to have to repeatedly report potholes, unkept pavements, overhanging trees that pose a serious threat to motorists and pedestrians alike, raw sewerage in the street, non-collection of litter, non-functioning street lights, traffic robots etc? Why should I repair the potholes on our service road and maintain the municipal pavement at my own considerable cost? Not to mention the ongoing debacle of the billing crises!
The answer – pride and dignity, and concern for the future. Despite the appalling conditions in and around Roodepoort, we as citizens of this country went to the polls on 7 May as requested . The least you can do is get out of your air-conditioned offices, stop your petty politics, roll up your sleeves and make us proud to be associated with Roodepoort and its surroundings. To put it bluntly, do your jobs!