ZAMDELA. – Mashwatlhe Diphofa, general director of the Department of Public Service and Administration, listened to the concerns and complaints of the community during a government ‘imbizo’.
The imbizo was recently hosted at the Zamdela Multi-purpose Complex. The DG was joined by Jihad Mohapi, member of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Veronica Matalane, chief director: Department of Service Delivery, Executive Metsimaholo mayor, Councillor Brutus Mahlaku, and Cllr Sello Matena, Speaker of the Mertsimaholo Council.
Diphofa said the aim of the ‘imbizo’ was to listen to the community, to hear about areas they want the government to improve.
All departments including Home affairs, Social Development, the Department of Social Grants and Health were part of the meeting.
The community must come clean regarding its concerns without taking to the streets, said Diphofa: “If there’s a need for service delivery, we will bring it to the necessary department.
“We assured the community that we will carry their mandate.”
Chapter 10 of the constitutional Bill of Rights indicates that the government must speak and listen to the public. It is the duty of each department to render services. The community has the right to protest peacefully should concerns not be given attention.
Among the issues raised by the community was the poor service delivery in Amelia section and part of Sasolburg, pot-holes in town, areas with no electricity, tap water in yards, unemployment, and pit toilets in the formal settlements.
Mahlaku says communities must take advantage of the opportunity to interact with government leaders during ‘izimbizos:’
“This is an opportunity for communities to raise their challenges and frustrations with regard to issues of service delivery.”
He said izimbizos were aimed at encouraging communities to play their part and implement the National Development Plan, to support government’s commitments that the country moves forward to achieve Vision 2030.
“It is also an opportunity to measure progress made in all three spheres of government’s priority programmes. “As a community, you have a role to play. Speak to us. When people are using these platforms, they must not only complain but also appreciate what government is doing for them,” said Mahlaku.
