Nsikazi residents demand service delivery from Mpumalanga premier
The KaBokweni Stadium was filled with frustrated residents of the Nsikazi region, most of whom said they feel neglected and failed by the local, and especially the provincial government. This while Ndlovu's office is situated less than 30km away from there. They had the chance to speak to Ndlovu directly. While he and members of his Exco noted the concerns raised, they could not account for some of the challenges.
The plague of criminal activity, particularly sexual violence at schools and hijackings in the region, was a cause for concern. The residents said they are left to fend for themselves, as most police stations don't have enough vehicles to respond to crime scenes. This has resulted in the public losing faith in the police and the justice system in general.
Ndlovu said the fight against crime requires communities to co-operate with the police and that the provincial government would support the crime-prevention systems put in place.
The people also voiced complaints on the overcrowded primary schools in the area, such as Vutselani, Malekutu and Tsembaletfu.
Thami Shabangu from Malekutu Trust said the schools are dilapidated and don't have enough classrooms to accommodate the number of pupils enrolled.
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We asked the premier and his council to demolish and rebuild these schools, so that teachers and pupils have a conducive learning environment. We hope they heard our concerns and react quickly,' he said.
In his list of concerns, Shabangu also highlighted the safety of public transport commuters, suggesting that load reduction should be scheduled during the day rather than in the evening when criminal activities are more likely to take place. The City of Mbombela has put in place a compulsory load reduction schedule of two hours daily – either from 05:00 to 07:00 or 19:00 to 21:00 – for all areas of Nsikazi.
The dilapidated Mjejane Road between Malekutu and Mdlangoma was a recurring topic, brought up by many residents at the gathering. The MEC for public works, roads and transport, Thulasizwe Thomo, promised residents that it would be attended to, along with other public infrastructure issues such as the neglected Elijah Mango College of Higher Education.
The deputy chairperson of the Ehlanzeni community policing forum (CPF), Jacob Sibhoza, brought up the issue of financial support for CPFs. He highlighted security and safety concerns caused by neglected and overgrown bushes at various hospitals, referring to the recent case of a missing patient whose body was found in the bushes near Tonga Hospital.
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Other issues that were raised were unemployment, alleged incompetence of ward councillors, and a lack of internet access at public facilities.
Residents like Florence Mathebula from Bhuga attended the imbizo to plead with Ndlovu to build her a house, as she struggles to make ends meet living with a disability.
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