Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Jacob Mamabolo, has met with communities to find peaceful ways to address concerns over access to basic services.

Joined by the leadership of Lesedi and Emfuleni Municipality, Mamabolo met with the communities of Vichuil and Boiketlong over the weekend to discuss service delivery intervention plans.

The meeting was part of a major intervention plan by the new provincial administration to work closer with all aggrieved communities in underserviced areas to peacefully resolve service delivery concerns.

During the meeting, the MEC highlighted that Gauteng has unique challenges.

“Our resources are overstretched and concerns of access to basic services are an ever growing challenge that will require a huge investment in constructive dialogue with all affected communities,” Mamabolo told the communities.

He also called on the people of the province to understand the magnitude of the problem and to work with the provincial government to resolve these problems peacefully instead of going on violent and destructive protests.

The interventions for the community of Vischuil will include construction of the main road and internal roads, housing for 2 000 households, local employment, grass cutting, sanitation, graveyard improvements, as well as provision of emergency services.

Service delivery intervention plans for Boiketlong include providing water and sanitation, electricity, roads and housing.

Meanwhile, Mamabolo reported that the Gauteng Provincial Government has already engaged with and secured cooperation from many community leaders in areas that were previously regarded as hot-spots and ravaged by violent public protests.

These areas include Bekkersdal, Zithobeni, Winterveld, Freedom Park, Boiketlong, Sharpville and Sebokeng.

“We are bringing urgent temporary relief in these communities while also working jointly with municipalities and other stakeholders such as Eskom and Rand Water to explorer long-term solutions.”

Mamabolo also commended the community of Thembelihle for suspending their violent public protest action which started during the week.

He called on all aggrieved communities leaders in the province to choose peaceful dialogue over violence.

“Our doors are wide open for any meaningful and genuine engagement. Communities should always insist on democratic, open and frank consultation with government before embarking on public protests,” said Mamabolo.