Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Jacob Mamabolo and Emfuleni Mayor Greta Hlongwane are misleading the community of Boiketlong with promises of service delivery.
According to reports, both the MEC and the mayor met with the leadership of the Boiketlong service delivery movement on Friday, and announced the government’s plans to bring an end to the service delivery crisis.
During this meeting, the community was promised that:
- A memorandum of understanding had been signed with Rand Water over water delivery,
- That the Leewkuil sewage plant would be upgraded,
- That plans were almost finalised for the installation of high mast lights and solar panels for households, and
- That government is in the final stages of declaring the area into a township.
However, the promises and their implementation were dependent on the Emfuleni local council’s consideration and approval of said plans and agreements during a special council meeting – which took place on February 25.
Astoundingly, not one of these items appeared on the agenda for the meeting and were thus not approved.
While the next council meeting is only towards the end of March, the question is of course whether these items will appear on the agenda – or whether the MEC and Mayor are playing for time.
Every time the government misses its own deadlines, people will lose confidence in the ANC’s ability to bring about a better life.
MEC Mamabolo must realise that the longer the ANC government toys with people’s expectations through empty promises, the more likely voters will vote for DA-led government with a definitive service delivery track record.
The DA will monitor the next council meeting’s agenda to see whether the MEC and mayor are indeed serious about service delivery.
Media enquiries:
Kingsol Chabalala MPL
DA Gauteng Constituency Head – Evaton
060 558 8299