The newly elected chairperson of the South African Civic Organisation (Sanco) in Mhingaville said delivering better services to his communities would be his top priority.

Mr Lino Simango received an overwhelming victory against Mr Abel Chauke during the election and launching of the Mhingaville Sanco at the headman’s kraal on Saturday.  More than 130 community members from Mhingaville joined the organisation on Saturday, after attending a workshop about the work of the organisation and how to be responsible citizens.

“Sanco in the communities is the watchdog of the implementation of service delivery and assisting to implement the integrated development plan in the communities. We also have to check the issue of progress on some community projects and working with councillors and traditional leaders,” said Simango.

The regional chairperson of Sanco in Vhembe, Ms Magdaline Netshiavha, described a good working relationship between the newly elected committee, the traditional leader and the councillor as the most important factor in delivering better services to the communities. “We don’t want Sanco to fight with councillors and traditional leaders."

Headman Benneth Jambatani welcomed the new committee and said it would help to root out the high crime rate. “We hope that Mhingaville will be a free-crime zone and even visitors must feel free to visit.”

The new Mhingaville Sanco branch committee members are:  Mr Lino Simango (chairperson), Mr Abel Chauke (deputy chairperson), Mr Vincent Chauke (secretary), Ms Florence Chauke (deputy secretary), Ms Holland Mita (treasurer) and Mr John Chauke (organising secretary).