Housing audit needed to address access, accountability
by Melinda Hattingh – DA Constituency Head of Kalahari
Date: 11 September 2017
Release: Immediate
Type: Press Statement
The DA candidate who is contesting the Gamagara by-election in Ward 7 in Kathu next week, managed to do over a single weekend what the local municipality hasn’t been able to do in more than a year.
With the assistance of sponsors, Hennie Fourie managed to restore shower and toilet facilities in the ablution blocks that serve the forgotten community of Kathu Plaas, which is situated about ten kilometers outside of Kathu.
See photos here, here and here.
For months, residents of Kathu Plaas had to go without working toilet and shower facilities, which posed a serious health risk to the locals. The community is dependent on the Gamagara Local Municipality to do normal maintenance of sewerage and refuse removal but this simply does not happen.
Thanks to the initiative taken by Fourie under the DA banner, the people of Kathu Plaas can once again enjoy the use of ten working toilets and four showers. Furthermore, the lights were restored and warm water is again available. The ablution facilities were also painted and tiled and a lock-up system was implemented to ensure improved safety, making the facility much more user friendly.
On top of this, the contractor utilized the services of three locals who gained valuable experience. They are now equipped with the knowledge to do basic maintenance as well as small repairs on toilets, showers and the sewerage system.
This is akin to the DA difference.
Unlike ANC governments, that simply swoop in before elections and fill up potholes on a once-off basis, DA governments place service delivery and sustainability first. They prioritize the living conditions of the poorest of the poor and they take action where action is needed.
What was done in Kathu Plaas over the weekend is just a taste of things to come under a DA government. We sincerely hope that the people of Ward 7 will vote for the DA on Wednesday next week, as this is clearly a municipality that needs much more of what the DA has offer.
Media Enquiries
Melinda Hattingh
DA Constituency Head of Kalahari
082 494 6648
Shelley De Witt
Researcher
082 847 1387
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