POLOKO TAU
The Meadowlands community want their councillor removed for failing to get speed-calming measures erected in dangerous roads where two children have lost their lives.
Residents of Zone 7 marched to the council offices yesterday, holding placards and shouting “Mayor, recall (our) councillor” and “No speed humps, no vote”.
Norman Ngwedzeni, a councillor in the area since 1995, stood nearby as marching residents sang and chanted slogans calling for him to step down.
The councillor said he was being “unfairly attacked” as he had done his part by inviting the City of Joburg’s roads department to meet with the community after the first accident in which six-year-old Tshepang Mokoena was hit and killed in Lekankagata Street in January.
Nine-year-old Tshegofatso Mampe lost her life after she was hit by a car in Maseru Street, which runs parallel to Lekankagata Street.
Ngwedzeni said it was agreed, after several meetings between council officials, that speed-calming measures would be erected in the area.
“The last I heard, procurement processes were under way for a contractor. The community needs to be aware that these processes can be lengthy,” he said.
With another person hit by a car on Maseru Street last weekend, the community have now called for immediate action.
In their memorandum, the community wrote: “Promises to address this problem by the local councillor have not materialised and the problem keeps mounting.”
Concerned residents’ group leader Patrick Mohlophegi said Ngwedzeni had also failed to get a park built in Zone 7.
“We have long asked for a park so that children can get an open and safe space to play in, but this fell on deaf ears. The community are angry at (Ngwedzeni) because they feel he has failed them as far as service delivery is concerned,” Mohlophegi said.
“In terms of speed-calming zones, we were promised in our last meeting with council officials that the procurement processes will be overridden so work can begin sooner. A month later, we’re still waiting.”
Responding to allegations of failure to deliver, Ngwedzeni said he had over the past 17 years “planted trees and had streets tarred in Meadowlands”.
The city’s executive director for transport, Lisa Seftel, said they were hoping to have the appointment of a contractor finalised by the end of this week.