KRIEL – In a long-standing battle for improved service delivery, residents of Emalahleni have voiced their grievances and demands for better municipal services.
The discontent has now spread to neighboring areas like Kriel, Ga-Nala, and Thubelihhle, where residents are calling for the establishment of their own municipality.
The dissatisfaction stems from the perceived neglect by the Emalahleni Local Municipality, with complaints ranging from inadequate service provision to a lack of recognition for residents in these areas.
Particularly concerning is the claim that job opportunities favour individuals from specific parts of Emalahleni’s Vosman, Ezinambeni, Hlalanikahle, Enpumelelweni, Clewer, Downtown, Ackerville, Lynville and Tasbet over those residing in Kriel.
This growing discontent highlights the urgent need for attention to address the disparities in service delivery and municipal representation.
Mandla Hlophe said, “Our community is still behind with development. Our roads are damaged; garbage are not being collected by waste management. Business opportunities are offered to other people besides the young people in Kriel. We have mines but they are not helping us.”
“Job opportunities are always given to the people in Emalahleni not Kriel. However we want our own municipality, maybe things will be better for us.” Karabo said.
“We are tired of the empty promises made to us, we are not growing business wise as the young people in Kriel because skills development are being offered to the people in Emalahleni. Even this budget talks about Emalahleni not Kriel.” She added.
The issues have been raised by the Emalahleni Local Municipality during the IDP presented to ward 28, 30 and 31. According to the municipality they’re also facing challenges with weak economic performance, as the residents in Emalahleni are not paying their services. Emalahleni unemployment rate stands on 28,6%.
“Sesi Karabo , I think you’re born in the year 2000, as you want Kriel to have it’s own municipality. Get into an understanding why government of dispensation had to come, one of them was to fight the group areas act. We can’t be black people and want to be divided.” Emalahleni Local Municipality mayor Cllr Leah Mabuza said.
“We must never go back to group areas act but let us talk in a good manner ,so that if the budget doesn’t speak with the community of Kriel, we will note down all issues you’re raising and be able to do things in a correct way,” Mayor Mabuza expressed.
“I hear you all say that Kriel needs the municipality of it’s own. According to the law of South Africa, you can’t have the municipality if you only have three wards. So in Kriel, you only have three wards.” she added.
