A new residents and ratepayers association was recently started by a concerned group of citizens in Scottsville to address service delivery issues.
The Ward 111 Residents and Ratepayers Association (RA) was officially registered in January this year, and encapsulates parts of the suburbs of Kraaifontein and Brackenfell.
In Kraaifontein Ward 111 covers Scottsville, Peerless Park East -and West, Belmont Park, Eikendal, Scottsville, Scottsdene and Somerville. In Brackenfell, Ward 111 covers Bracken Heights, Brackenfell Central, Brackenfell Industria, Eden Park, Hoogstede, Morgenster, Kraaifontein Industria, Okovango Park, St Michales, Scottsville, Scottsdene, Somerville and Northpine.
The RA was called to life by William and Everline Thorne and Jacob and Cassandra Mess of Kraaifontein in response to calls from the community about the lack in service delivery particularly experienced in Scottsville of late.
“Scottsville is a forgotten neighbourhood neglected by the City. There is no sporting or other facilities such as skills training or recreation for the youth and has thus become a breeding place for crime, substance abuse and gangsterism,” says Thorne.
The group was inspired by similar organisations in the country that stood up for their members against maladministration, corruption and lack of proper service delivery for citizens in their wards or municipalities. Thorne says their biggest concern in Kraaifontein at present is the uncontrollable violent crime in the area, particular gang violence along with a lack of policing.
“There are many challenges in our area and as residents we feel that the local police services need to be closer, with a manned satellite office in our ward. We believe that would a big difference in our communities insofar as safety and security is concerned.
“Next is poverty and adequate support for our local youth as well as economic development in our area. We would like to have more consultation with local authorities about how taxpayer’s monies are spent in Ward 111,” he says.
“Our area is dirty and our streets are bad, some so bad its almost unusable. Scottsville needs a facelift, yet we never see our local City councillor. As a residents association we want to hold the City accountable.
“As a community we want to know how much money is allocated and spent in Scottsville on an annual basis. And going forward we want to ensure that public funds are no longer held back in order to create a better life and future for our community,” he says.
