20 October, 2005

By Clifford Mogotsi

POLITICIANS are rolling up their sleeves and going to work: Mogale City councillors and officials are embarking on the municipality's feedback sessions with residents.

Through consultation with its citizens, the City prepares its Integrated Development Plan (IDP). This is a strategic document that guides all planning, management, investment, development and implementation decisions over the next five years.

Initial IDP meetings were held in the rural areas of Tarlton, Hekpoort, Muldersdrift and Magaliesburg. At these meetings residents raised several common problems, including evictions and the need for houses, and refuse removal.

Jacky Lamola, from the mayor's office, presented the deliverables to Tarlton residents, assuring them that trucks would be dispatched to collect refuse from rural areas.

"Trucks will be made available to the rural areas and there are refuse bins available for those who don't have, but we need to sort out a few things first."

Another challenge was the lack of cemeteries, and residents were concerned that the City had not yet found land for burials.

Pensioner Anthony Sithole said they had to travel to Munsieville or Kagiso to bury their loved ones. "We don't have cemeteries and we are pleading with our local government to do something. We don't have cars and it is costly to travel to Munsieville and Kagiso."

The director of integrated environment management, Snowy Mothibe, told journalists that the City had identified several sites for cemeteries, and those which were suitable were private property.

"Some farmers with [suitable] land are willing to sell it to the council but there have been problems of intimidation," Mothibe explained.

However the council was still in talks with the land owners.

At IDP meetings in urban areas, township residents were concerned about unemployment and a lack of housing.

Areas visited were Kagiso 1 and 2, Rietvallei, Swanieville and Munsieville Extension 12. Meetings will be held in Azaadville in November.

Related stories

Mogale sets up Integrated Development Plan

Mogale City discusses plans

Road shows across Mogale City

Exciting year ahead for Mogale City