The Soutpansberg Dorpswag this week delivered a letter to the Makhado Municipality, demanding service delivery.

On Monday, July 10, the letter was handed to Council’s Director Community Services, Mr Peter Magwala, by Dr Phillip Venter, chairperson of the Dorpswag. Mr Magwala requested Mr Lampie Schoeman, Manager Makhado Region to be present at the handing over of the letter.

The letter stated that the service delivery in town has steadily deteriorated over the past few years and has reached such a state that the residents have no option but to take decisive action.

The letter demanded in the first place that the municipality clean up the public areas of the town from rubbish and keep it in a clean and sanitary condition, a demand to be met within one month from the date of receipt of the letter.

In the second place, the letter demanded the repair of the streets, sewage systems and all public service systems to acceptable working standards and the maintenance thereof. In the third place it was demanded that all necessary steps be taken to ensure a regular and continuous supply of water and electricity to all premises. It was requested that the second and third demand be met within three months after June 10, the date of the receipt of the letter.

The letter contained an ultimatum: “Should you fail to meet these demands in any respect, the relevant residents shall commence to deposit the basic levies and assessment rates charged by you into a special trust account opened for the purpose and it will only by paid to you once you have met the demands. Should you at any stage fail to maintain the service levels as demanded, the said monies charged will again be deposited into a trust account until you have rectified the position.”

The municipality will issue a press release on the matter in time for next week’s publication, the Public Relation Officer, Mr Peter Muleya, said late Tuesday night.

During the presentation, Mr Magwala said that the letter was delivered in good spirit. Mr Schoeman asked Dr Venter to list problem areas so that the municipality could say what they were able to do. An arrangement was made for the representatives of the Soutpansberg Dorpswag and the municipality to meet on Monday, July 17.

Dr Venter requested the residents to report in writing all problems with service delivery to him. Complaints could range from serious to small, including dirty streets, unsatisfactory service at the municipal offices, too few queues, problems with accounts, and the like, but it is important that it be in writing. The fax number (015) 516 4366 may be used or the postal address, which is PO Box 294, Louis Trichardt, 0920. For those who use e-mail, the address is [email protected]