CAPE TOWN – Community leaders from Khayelitsha and Langa welcomed Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka‘s report which was released last week, describing it as a breath of fresh air. After the oversight body found the City had failed to provide basic services to parts of the Khayelitsha and Langa communities.

What residents reported to the Public Protector

Residents complained about problems with sewer infrastructure, poor refuse collection, delays in repairing roads and water leaks, and the absence of lease agreements for residents paying rent in City-owned housing.

In a statement accompanying the report, Gcaleka said the investigation had emanated from complaints received by her office from residents of N2 Gateway project and Langa Flats, and Khayelitsha townships regarding allegations that the City had failed to provide basic services and infrastructure.

SST-Marikana and Old Flats: A community in crisis

Residents of SST-Marikana complained of poor sewer infrastructure, inadequate refuse removal and insufficient access to basic services.

Residents in Old Flats raised several concerns relating to service delivery, infrastructure maintenance and housing administration within their community.

‘ The City only caters to certain people.’ — KDF chair

Khayelitsha Development Forum (KDF) chairperson Mawande Jara said the forum was pleased with the findings. He said it confirmed what the forum had always known — that the City only caters to certain people.

“We accept the report. It states exactly what we have always said about the City. It has neglected our constitutional right to service delivery. All we want is for City officials to sit with us and find a way forward,” Jara said there was widespread discontent over the way City officials were treating the townships.

Langa residents call on mayor Hill-Lewis to act

Community leader Lungile Maqegu from Old Flats in Langa echoed Jara’s sentiment, that the report was welcomed. He said the community expected the City to fix everything identified in the report.

“It is bad here. The sewage is flowing in the streets. Rats are everywhere. The flats need to be revamped. We would like Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis to come and see the conditions we are living under.”

City responds to Public Protector’s findings

In a statement issued to City Vision, the City welcomed the Public Protector’s report and said it had worked closely with the watchdog’s office throughout the investigation.

The City maintained that basic services are provided at the N2 Gateway development, that security measures are in place at the clinics identified in the report, and that the 10 relocated families in SST-Marikana have access to water and sanitation. It added that many of the remedial actions identified by the Public Protector, including refuse collection, sewer maintenance and structural assessments, were already under way.

“We are also encouraged that the PP has taken cognisance of the difficulty of providing free services without adequate support from the national state. The PP has made remedial action findings against the National Treasury and Department of Human Settlements as well, which are welcomed.

“The City has collaborated extensively with the Public Protector in this lengthy investigation in good faith, clearly demonstrating that it is already taking the necessary actions in the ordinary course of City operations to deal with the various complex challenges of informality and unlawful occupation,” the statement read.

The City said it would submit a detailed response to the Public Protector’s final report.