/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

ActionSA Tshwane Regional Chairperson, Oupa Mathibela, was today accompanied by Cllr Abel Tau, Tshwane MMC for Housing and Human Settlement, to visit a lethal manhole in Extension 11 Mamelodi East.

ActionSA Branch Chairperson for Ward 97, Mr. Sam Mphela reported the manhole to the Regional Chairperson, which necessitated him and the MMC’s visit the area to get a full understanding of the situation.

Upon arrival at the scene of the manhole they were met with the City of Tshwane’s responsible department working to fill the manhole and sealing off the burst pipes. The Regional Chairperson was pleased by the speedy response from the city because this meant that young children would not lose their lives by failing in and drowning in these manholes. 

It is not lost on us that the City sprung to action following news reports that we would be visiting the cite this morning. 

ActionSA will write to the office of the MMC for Utilities through our Tshwane Caucus Leader, Derrick Kissoonduth, who is himself the Section 79 Chairperson for our Portfolio Committee on Utilities demanding answers and an action plan for the closing off all open trenches across the city. 

In his capacity as Section 79 Committee Chairperson, Alderman Kissoonduth will also call for a report from the Department of Utilities to indicate how many similar construction sites exist across the city which remain unbarricaded and therefore pose serious danger to residents- particularly unsuspecting kids.

Just under a year ago ActionSA undertook to bring justice and closure for the families of drowned youth in both Mamelodi and Hammanskraal. We will continue to hold the City accountable but to also ensure that the residents of Tshwane are taken seriously by the City.

ActionSA remains committed to providing the residents of Tshwane with quality and safe project in delivering service to them, regardless of the type of community and where they reside.  

Issued by ActionSA