A community in need is the community that takes matters into their own hands and councillors serve as representatives for the community which they serve and the Zone Two community in Meadowlands expressed their frustrations about crime during a public meeting which was held at the Zone Two Recreational Park.
Many issues were discussed by angry community members who felt the best way to tackle those issues is to do it on their own as the community by creating their own committee and an independent councillor.
Two of the major issues that sparked this meeting is the prepaid meters currently installed by Eskom in some Zones in Meadowlands and the issue of crime that has been common over the past few weeks.
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“We have to conquer Zone Two because of it ours. We need to show SAPS and the councillors that they are here because of us. It is up to us at the people of Zone two to make it clean again.
“The people that employed to protect us from crime are doing nothing, our reports complaints remain unattended. We are not happy with SAPS and the councillors it is best we draft a memorandum and send it to SAPS. I will fight for the community,” said Jalamba Satch.
Another concerned community member Monegi Enerst said that presence and participation of the youth in community issues is highly needed.
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“We need youngsters to fight the battle with us; they must be active and concerned about matters pertaining to the community.
“Our mothers have fought for our rights in the past and even now they are still fighting when it should be us. Most of the illegal and horrible things that are happening at our park are committed by youngsters.
“The park is no longer safe, there are no lights. We cannot sit down and relax because people are dying,” he said.
The community dialogued on a lot of things and suggested that they;
– Must have their own people to clean the park and not the City Park employees
– Want to be in control of the budget
– They have their own control room at the police station
– Continue fighting the prepaid meters
– Elect their own committee and independent councillor.
“We must reclaim Zone Two back to us.”
Ward 43 councillor Takalani Nefotoni acknowledges that he was invited to attend the meeting but the on the initially date he was informed that the meeting has been rescheduled.
“On the new date to which the meeting took place, I had to attend the councillors meeting. I was informed that the meeting is about crime and I then suggested that they contact the CPF to which they will invite me to attend that meeting.
“If I won’t make it at the meeting then I will send it to one of my Ward committee responsible for that portfolio. I do not mind attending the meeting only if I am informed in time.”
