Vaal Weekly 26/3/2008
Forcing council to take action in Boiketlong
By Lazarus Dithagiso
SEBOKENG. – Residents of the Boiketlong Informal Settlement and the Boiketlong Community Committee (BCC) took to Moshoeshoe Street to present a petition of grievances to the Sebokeng Police last week Wednesday.
The petition was also earmarked for the Emfuleni Local and Sedibeng District municipal governments, as well as for the Metsi-a-Lekoa water-utility and Eskom.
Before the memorandum could be received, Patrick Sindane of the Coalition Against Water Privatisation (CAWP) lambasted Council for the allegedly poor or complete non-delivery of basic services since the settlement was established twelve years ago.
He said they needed a time frame as to when residents would be allocated housing stands. “The yard must be 60 square meters and have all the standard requirements of decent houses,” he said.
Sindane appealed to police to stop harassing Boiketlong residents. He made strong allegations that police searched and robbed poor residents when they were found in the streets during the night.
“President Thabo Mbeki has spoken positively about economic growth – read the memorandum – yet the police try to smash any legitimate protest and resistance. In Boiketlong there will always be mass action and protest as long as government does not address the problems of the community.” Boiketlong is excluded from housing forum.
Safety and Security MMC Councillor Maipato Tsokolibane and Superintendent Daniel Mereko of the Sebokeng Police received the memorandum on behalf of the mayor and Station Director Michael Motlhala.
Colin Mokoena, Spokesperson for Sedibeng Mayor Mlungisi Hlongwane said for Council and its officials to receive the memo proves that investigating and solving Boiketlong’s problems is taken seriously.
“We also take note that the majority of concerns are about service delivery,” he said.
Mokoena says Sebokeng is the best area in Gauteng in the fight against crime.
He said infrastructural development was underway at Boiketlong. Pointing in the direction of Sonland Park and Sebokeng roads, Mokoena says contractors are busy installing pipes for water and sanitation for Boiketlong.