Update

GEORGE NEWS - The George Municipality has started to install services at Mandela Village in Thembalethu following violent protests on the morning of Wednesday 20 June, but community members are still waiting for a feedback meeting. This after an agreement was reached between the George Municipality, Mandela Park residents and the Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements Bongikosi Madikizela, in a meeting on Thursday 21 June at All Bricks community hall.

At the meeting, it was resolved that a study would be conducted in Mandela Park to determine the exact number of shacks in the area, as the settlement has grown rapidly since the area was started.

It was said that knowing the number of shacks will assist the municipality to plan properly and distribute enough toilets to the community. However, the George Municipality hasn't addressed the people yet on whether the counting has been finished or not.

In a statement issued on 28 June, George Municipality said, "The Community Services Department has already commenced with routine service delivery duties which inter alia include the removal of refuse at residential areas and businesses. Dumping sites and where the community dumped refuse as part of their protest actions are being cleared continuously. The George Municipality in conjunction with the Department of Human Settlements is in the process of profiling and surveying all of the beneficiaries residing in Mandela Village Informal Settlements as well as all the other settlements which have emerged as a result of illegal invasions (6 newly established informal settlements). 

"The reason for the survey is to determine how many beneficiaries are residing in the different settlements in order for the municipality to determine and plan the level of basic services, i.e. water and sanitation, to be implemented in these settlements. There are currently no basic services in the following informal settlements: France, Mandela Village, Dameni, Dube, Telkom and Steybi-Teybi informal settlements. The municipality provided basic services at all its other informal settlements in Thembalethu in accordance with the ratios set by National Government or better. The UISP programme currently aims at providing services at a ratio of 1:1 in four phases to approximately 4 350 beneficiaries."

Three trucks were set alight during the protest.

The statement further says that a sum of R1-million had already been made available for the electrification of newly established informal areas. Equipment to the value of R612 535 has been installed and the contractor is still on site and continuing with the electrification processes. 

"The number of water and sanitation facilities to be provided is dependent on the capacity of the existing infrastructure (sewer, water and capacity of the Outeniqua Waste Water Treatment Works). The Municipality is in engagement with the committees regarding the provision and roll-out of basic services in these settlements." 

At the time of going to print, an update on this information had not been received from the municipality.

ANC Youth League spokesperson Aviwe Mbangu said, for now, there's not much they can do but to wait. "The feedback meeting will determine our next step. For now, we are allowing them time to finish their processes," said Aviwe.

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