Good's councillor throws his weight behind service delivery protest

Update

GEORGE NEWS - In a statement this morning a Ward Councillor of the Good Party, Richard Hector, expressed his opinion on the latest protest actions in Beach Road and residential areas in Pacaltsdorp, saying George Mayor Leon van Wyk should address the lack of service delivery in areas such as the informal settlement Moeggeploeg.

A protest started at approximately 05:30 this morning in Beach Road, after which more protests mushroomed in Moeggeploeg in Seaview, Rosedale and New Dawn Park.

The police used shock grenades to control the crowds and have been monitoring the situation since early morning. Traffic was brought to a halt for a time.

In the statement, Good Ward Councillor Richard Hector (Ward 27, Pacaltsdorp) said despite earlier communication to Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz and George Mayor Leon van Wyk requesting equal service delivery for areas like Moeggeploeg, including the supply of electricity, he has received no commitment from the municipality to address these issues. “I have also raised it in Council,” said Hector.

Comment from George Municipality is being awaited and an update will be put on this website as soon as it is available.

Hector said the community of Ward 27 (Pacaltsdorp) together with Ward 14 (Rosedale) and 16 (New Dawn Park) are protesting together and demanding their service delivery issues are addressed by the George Municipality and Mayor Leon van Wyk.

“This morning I also contacted Mayor van Wyk to urgently address the community, but he refused and has instead used the police to intimate and victimise peaceful protesters,” said Hector.

The protest comes on the day that is scheduled for an ordinary council meeting. George Council has a virtual sitting today starting at 10:00.

It will be live-streamed on YouTube

Read the full statement from GOOD Councillor Richard Hector, Ward 27, Pacaltsdorp, George Municipality below:

"George Protests: Community demands George Mayor address lack of service delivery

"Mayor should meet with the Community

"25 February 2020

"Today the community of Ward 27, Pacaltsdorp together with Ward 14 and 16 are protesting and demanding their service delivery issues are addressed by the George Municipality and Mayor Leon van Wyk.

"As the Ward 27 Councillor, I have previously written to the Municipal Manger, Dr Michele Gratz and Mayor van Wyk requesting equal service delivery for areas like Moeggeploeg, including the supply of electricity. I have also raised it in Council but have received no commitment from the Municipality to address this.

"This morning I also contacted Mayor van Wyk to urgently address the community but he refused and has instead used SAPS to intimate and victimise peaceful protesters.

"It is the Mayor’s duty to ensure the community’s needs are provided for by the Municipality. Our residents deserve quality and equal services, a basic right I will continue to fight for.

"I stand by my community and demand the Mayor meet with them to answer questions and discuss a way forward."

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