No bridge, no road
Residents of Tsebe ward 22 in Mabopane are in need of a bridge that will help them cross over a waterlogged area caused by an overflowing river.
Cars cannot get across the river because it prohibits them from reaching their homesteads.
Proper infrastructure development has been a dream of people living in the area, who travel more than four kilometres before they reach a tarred road.
Residents’ main concern was that cars could not get cross the flooded area. School children were travelling to and from school use a narrow path, walking over a wall that was built to stop water from flowing onto the road.
Khensani Mmoko, a resident said, they felt neglected in their area. “Every time when there are upcoming elections, campaigners come here and make empty promises. After that they go and we will not see them again. We are living miserable lives here. Three people have died because of this dam last year.”
Mmoko said that they cannot get help when there is an emergency in and residents cannot get to a hospital. Not even ambulances can cross the flooded area.
Another resident, Semakaleng Molebatsi said crossing alone the dam was not safe. “Thieves are becoming a problem. Many people have been robbed of their belongings while trying to cross here,” she said.
Councillor Jacob Ridge Petersen of the Democratic Alliance had assured residents that he was fully aware of the problems faced by Tsebe residents.
“We reported this matter to the council but still there was no action taken, but we will continue until the needs of the people are met. The problem is that we are not the ruling party and we do not have the powers to change the situation,” said Petersen.
