Pretoria – A meeting between the Bekkersdal community and the Gauteng Provincial Government on Thursday was fruitful, with both parties committed to working on service delivery issues.
The meeting aimed to discuss permanent solutions for the Bekkersdal community, as well as revisiting the concerns of the community in light of the pre-election service delivery protests.
Some of the demands raised by the Greater Westonaria Concerned Residents Association (GWCRA) during the meeting included the formalisation and the electrification of informal settlements in Bekkersdal.
Other demands included social amenities, development for a trade and business hub that would employ the residents of the area. They also demanded that mining companies and businesses in the surrounding area should work with government in community development and job creation.
The residents also raised demands for the provision of land for the development of a high school and additional health facilities. These issues emanate from the Service Delivery Summit held by the association.
Gauteng Human Settlements, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Jacob Mamabolo led a delegation, which included West Rand District mayor Mpho Nawa, Bekkersdal acting mayor Gladys Khoza and Special Advisor to the Premier, Eric Xayiya.
Government welcomed the submissions of the concerned residents and committed to incorporate the demands into government’s development plans of Westonaria and the region, in order to align service delivery and job creation.
MEC Mamabolo said government’s priority is service delivery, transparency, local empowerment that considers competency and quality of service, regular consultation and urgency of service delivery.
He emphasised that his priority is that they forge partnerships to resolve the issues quickly and restore normality urgently.
“The concerned residents should elect five members to work with government in the intervention task team that will look at urban renewal, and other relevant and interventions in Westonaria.
“The inclusive task team of government and the concerned residents’ group will also look at the budgetary plans, the forensic investigation by the Auditor General, and the merger of the Randfontein and Westonaria municipalities,” MEC Mamabolo told GWCRA.
Mayor Mpho Nawa said the commitment of government to cooperation and partnership in effective service delivery for Bekkersdal and Westonaria is intended to maintain continued consultation and incorporation of community demands with existing plans.
The GWCRA, led by secretary Wonder Modise and Thabang Wesi, declared the meeting fruitful. – SAnews.gov.za
