The Zoutpansberg Community Development Forum (ZCDF), representing residents from areas such as Sinthumule, Kutama, and Tshikota, has resolved to embark on protest action to force the various spheres of government to address service-delivery issues.
The ZCDF had a meeting on Sunday (11th) during which feedback was given on the efforts to engage officials of municipalities and the government. The secretary of the ZCDF, Mr Mbulaheni Malotsha, said that meetings had been held with officials from Vhembe District Municipality regarding the acute shortage of water services in the area.
"These townships have gone for seven years without water. Promises were made by the officials but are not honoured. Now we have no hope that things will change for the better," he said. The ZCDF believes that the VDM has no respect for its constitutional obligations. "The sad reality is that these officials do not have a clue of what should be done to ensure the regular provision of water. The poor are the hardest hit as they must buy water from neighbours," said Malotsha.
The ZCDF also pointed out that the district's roads are "death traps". The road between Louis Trichardt and Madombidzha is described as "disastrous" and the road between Madabani and Kutama "is a calamity".
"Life is hell for taxi drivers and commuters who use this road to and from work. All these roads need total rehabilitation. Public Works' departments provincially and nationally have been made aware of this nightmare, but continue to ignore our plea," said Malotsha.
"We are giving government 14 days to rectify these anomalies, failure which we exercise our right to protest. During this 14-day period we call upon councillors, constituency representatives from both the provincial legislature and national parliament to descend on the Soutpansberg to address our communities on remedies to alter the situation," demands the ZCDF.