Klerksdorp Record, Klerksdorp - The residents of Ward 39 in the northern suburbs are experiencing no power, no water, potholes destroying car tyres, sewerage running in the streets and rubbish everywhere and “it is getting worse by the day’’.
However, Cllr Inge Wilken said she is trying to stay positive in informing her constituents of the challenges facing her ward these last couple of months. Klerksdorp Record spoke to her about the situation.
“I’m tired due to all the complaints and people not understanding, but regardless of how I tired I am, Klerksdorp and its lovely people are still worth fighting for,” she said.
She blames this collapse of services in the Matlosana Municipality on “thirty years of mismanagement and neglect”, and on top of that, no maintenance. “I invited the mayor to visit the ward to see first-hand how bad it is, but he never replied,” she said.
She is running a petition until the next council meeting in two weeks where she is asking the opinion of the residents. She demands that money must be used correctly. She placed a list of delivery issues in Ward 39 on social media and said if nothing is done immediately residents are witnessing total collapse first-hand.
At the time of going to press on Wednesday May 14, the list of issues in the ward are mindboggling! “Three neighbourhoods are without power. That means 183 homes and counting registered no power and many with low voltage, three burst water pipes of which two are in Buffelsdoorn and one in Flamwood, collapsed sewer line excavations in Buffelsdoorn and closure of the road, 80% of the ward’s refuse not collected on Monday with no back up plan provided and Matlosana Gardens residents still have to travel through raw sewerage daily. “
Sadly, this situation is not only evident in ward 39.
Law firm places City on terms
In Meiringspark, Johan Bester called to complain about running sewerage in Wessels Street. “I cannot even invite people to my home. The stench is unbearable. We’ve been living like this for almost ten days now and despite complaints and reporting it, the municipality does nothing. I’ve received information that the main line is blocked and needs to be cleared.’’
In Stilfontein, Umgeni Street is again flooded with sewerage and vehicles have to drive through the sewer water into their yards. Orkney is also slowly drowning in sewerage with constant issues with pumps. A constant stream of sewerage in Hemingway and Scott Street makes the area unbearable for residents.
Orkney law firm Erasmus and Jooste has delivered a letter to the Municipal Manager on Monday May 12 regarding pollution of the Vaal River due to constant sewer spills. The firm demands immediate action to be taken to resolve the issue.
On Tuesday May 13, Klerksdorp Record asked Kelebogile Moleko, PRO for the municipality what the problem is at the Civil Department. She replied: “The team is back at work. Apparently they had challenges with their truck but now all has been resolved.’’ She did not say how many teams are working.
