Pic: Phokwane Municipal Mayor, Robby Tsikwe addressing the community at Ganspan.

BY OBAKENG MAJE
GANSPAN- THE Phokwane municipality’s newly-elected mayor Robby Tsikwe visited the beleaguered Ganspan township after some unrest.

Tsikwe visited Ganspan township,near Jan Kempdorp to tackle issues that cause unrest within the area.

Last year the community of Ganspan burned down the mobile clinic and library in protests amid poor service delivery.

According to Economic Freedom Fighters branch chairperson Vusi Sefuba, there are house foundations hoisted in Ganspan more than 5 years ago in quest to built houses, but they’re still waiting.

“We experienced poor service delivery in Ganspan. And one of the burning issues is houses. We need houses in the area as you see most of the people live in shacks. We cannot afford to hear any empty promises from our leaders anymore” Sefuba said.

Another resident who is a chairperson for Ganspan Community Forum, Shimmy Bodumele said their area is poverty-stricken and unemployment is the order of the day. However he highlighted in some issues that he said they need preference in their area.

“The high-mast lights are not working properly, poverty is one of the burning issues and we need our ward councillor to communicates with us often so that we can get reports and feedback of all meetings including any developments in our area” Bodumele said.

Phokwane Municipality mayor, Tsikwe said as new as he is, he is visiting all wards that form Phokwane Municipality to engage with communities and hear them out before reacting.

“This is a preparatory meeting where I engage with the communities in various wards to hear them out regarding issues that affect them. I will compare that with what their ward committees say and try to iron out issues that need clarification. Today the community said their priority is houses in the area.

“I can proudly say the EIA has approved their request regarding houses. The community must rest assured that they will receive houses during 2015-2016 financial year.

“Another issue is high-mast lights are malfunctioning and that need to be taken into consideration as crime is rife in the area, so without lights the people here are vulnerable” Tsikwe said.

Even though Tsikwe promised to look into other matters, he put it clear that he cannot afford to do everything at once, that is why Integrated Development Plan is much important.

He said giving the community what is much-needed for now is his target.
-TDN

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