Residents of Ivory Park, north of Johannesburg, have threatened to boycott upcoming local government elections due to ongoing poor service delivery. They cite issues like accumulating waste on roadsides, crime, and water shortages as reasons for their frustration. Local councillor urges cooperation to resolve the problems.
Residents in Ivory Park, a township north of Johannesburg, are voicing strong dissatisfaction with service delivery ahead of local government elections. They complain of waste piling up on roadsides, creating unsanitary and unsafe conditions, alongside problems with crime and water supply.
Isaac Mhlongo, one of the residents, expressed disillusionment with voting. “We have never had any assistance, and the community now are planning to open the streets to strike," he said. "I think in our community, people are no longer interested to go to vote for the local government because there is a challenge of service delivery, such as crime. Police are not working closely with the community. Also, the issue of water, the community is angry because of those issues.”
Ward 133 Councillor Lehumo Marumo acknowledged the dumping issue and said he conducts daily oversight to ensure promises are met. “It is easy for me to commit because I conduct an oversight on a daily basis. I ensure that they do get what they have been promised," Marumo stated. "I’m appealing to residents … let’s work together to maintain the cleanliness of the Ivory Park and the entire area.”