Kliptown demands service delivery

Kliptown residents took to the streets last Thursday, venting their frustrations with the lack of service delivery. –

They protested because they have been promised water, electricity, housing and sanitation but for decades never received any of these basic rights.-

“We want the government to give us decent housing and we demand electricity,” said community leader Ali Mohammed.-

Residents blocked roads and stoned passing vehicles and police while chanting in Boundary road. –

“This is the only way our demands will be heard, when we protest like this,” said Vusi Radebe.-

Residents acknowledge that they illegally connect electricity from neighbouring communities and say that they will continue to do so until their demands are met.-

“It costs more to repair and replace the cables than to simply provide us with electricity,” Radebe said.-

Many of the residents have been living in the informal settlement since birth and refuse to let another generation grow up in the same conditions.-

“I was born in Kliptown, my grandfather was born here and died here, we cannot continue living like this,” Mohammed said.-

Residents say they have met on numerous occasions with MMC of housing Dan Bovu who said that houses will be built for residents. They now want to see his promises materialise.-

“Houses and flats were built in Kliptown and Zone 14 but none of the people from Kliptown benefited from that,” Mohammed said.-

Residents say they have been protesting since 2007 and will continue to do so until they are heard.