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I am resident of Harry Gwala Park. My house is situated right at the top end of the township. It is with great sadness that I announce the unfortunate conditions that we live under in this great year of Celebrating 21 Years of Democracy as a people that lived under the ruthless regime of apartheid. This year should be celebrated with great honour and dignity by us the people of South Africa and most importantly Harry Gwala Park but we feel nothing but proud nor happy about this attained freedom, or freedom is the hand of a municipality that does not care about the people it serves.
"Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all." - Nelson Mandela
The above quote takes reference, I live in a community where residents have to fight (literaly fight) for water. I live in a community where only 10 000 Litres of water is supposed to cater for over 100 hundred people and is only brought through twice a week. I live in a community where mothers have to call their young ones home and stop them from playing just so they can help to fetch water, what memories are we creating with these children, what leadership skills will they attain, as the only talks that u will hear of in the the water tanks are always about the failing municipalities. I live in a community where those who have water are only those located in the Entrance of the township more so that when Municipal managers or those sent on their behalf come and check the progress on the lack of water, they will find running taps and return to their offices with a report back that there are no issues. Why then, if there are no issues is a truck still sent twice a week to deliver water?. Is this the freedom that was fought for? 21 Years of Democracy and we still have citizens who would rejoice at the site of having running water in their taps. Year in and Year out we are given the same excuse “there is shortage of boreholes and we are dealing with this matter”. The water supply tenders that have been awarded for various Matatiele wards (2014-2015) amount to above R 105 000 000. 00, how then can we not be catered for?
I quote from your service delivery mandate, points B and C respectfully:
“b) To ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner;
c) To promote a safe and healthy environment”
Taking from the above I can fully declare that you are not complying with the mandate with which the municipality has taken oath to fully adhere and serve by. The environment we live in is everything but safe and healthy, we do not even flush toilets as we are not even sure of when we will receive water, every drop counts. If your definition of safe and healthy is living in a house that has a foul smell that I can fully say that the municipality complies. Somehow, somewhere someone is neglecting their duties. We have tried numerous times to liaise with the municipality to resolve this matter but we have fallen on our behinds with those attempts all the time. Kindly take a moment to think of how you would survive without water on a daily basis.
This is a plea to the heads of management or anyone who cares to hear our concerns to: make thorough and proper investigations, visit the sites, hear the people’s concerns, report back and resolve this matter gracefully. We have been very patient along the years, but the situation is gradually being neglected more and more. We have exhausted all means possible to act in a reputable and responsible manner whilst seeking for help from the municipality. Please take note that with the emerging fights over water, soon that will be a shedding of blood, anyone’s life that will be lost due to the aggravation of water deprivation will be on municipalities’ hands. If human life matters at all to you, this matter will be resolved urgently.
Regards
A very angry Harry Gwala Park Resident.
