When residents of Zandspruit were allegedly given attitude by Ward 114 ANC councillor, Victor Mafinya, when they complained about the filth caused by uncollected refuse and illegal dumping, the DA PR councillor Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku stepped in to assist.
The area, which had become an eyesore and health hazard for the residents, got Belinda off her feet to assist residents to get services delivered to them.
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“I recently received several phone calls from community members in Zandspruit who were unhappy with Pikitup having not collected their refuse at the usual collection points, in addition to an increase in illegal dumping in the area. The complainants forwarded me several photos of this filthy eyesore,” she said.
She alleged that the community told her “… when they addressed this issue with the current ANC Ward councillor, he allegedly told them to go and complain to the Democratic Alliance, and so they did. When I heard of this, I immediately raised the issue of the non-collection of refuse on the Pikitup WhatsApp group. Thereafter, some areas received relief, while others remained with uncollected rubbish, ” she said.
She added, “After no feedback for 48 hours and still getting calls from community members, I did another follow-up, only to be confronted by a message from the Ward councillor, who wasn’t too pleased with my efforts to get the issue resolved”.
Belinda shared an extract of the message she received from the councillor, which resulted in her addressing her duties as a PR councillor.
“There seems to be a perception by the Ward councillor that the role of the PR councillor is to report to him. However, our role as councillors is to do oversight, and to ensure that the communities in which we serve get service delivery,” she cleared.
“If community members have service delivery challenges, part of our role is to escalate these issues to the various municipal-owned entities, in order for service delivery to take place, especially since they allege that the Ward councillor is not responding to them, “she said.
After the matter was escalated, Pikitup shared photos of an extensive clean-up they had in Zandspruit on their social media pages. Their intervention included inspections and the delivery of a waste skip for the collection of rubbish near the clinic.
Lastly, Belinda vowed to continue to escalate the service delivery issues happening in Zandspruit. “My role as a councillor is not to be biased,” she made herself clear.
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