Grootfontein
The town of Grootfontein seems to be drowning in domestic rubbish as some residential areas are evidently not cleaned regularly by the municipality.
Residents of Grootfontein are dissatisfied over the piles of refuse that has heaped to unacceptable levels in the streets of the residential areas in the town. New Era visited areas, such as the John Pandeni residential area, as well as Omulunga township, where streams of sewage could be seen running through some streets, while many street corners are piled high with uncollected domestic garbage.
Residents in the area say the refuse piles up on a weekly basis. Moreover, the sewage reticulation and general maintenance of roads seem to have been neglected for some years now.
A resident of Grootfontein, who preferred anonymity, said the municipality picks up refuse at certain points indicated as dumping sites, but sewage streams in the street are seldom addressed and damaged roads are not repaired, while sand collects in heaps on the roads.
“We pay rates and taxes to live in these filthy streets. When the rain comes refuse and sewage is washed up onto the streets and even into our yards. This is a very unhygienic situation and it is unfair to us as residents that the municipality doesn’t make us a priority when it comes to providing basic services.”
Another Grootfontein resident, Asser Nangolo, said he has taken it upon himself to keep his surroundings clean, but the damaged roads and the rubbish in the streets are of great concern.
“Rubbish on street corners gets picked up but even the tarred roads look like gravel roads because of all the sand. Look at the sand; how do you expect humans to stay like this?” Nangolo asked.
Municipal officials have in the past claimed that the town council remains under-funded by central government, hence the lack of service delivery. When contacted for comment last week the newly re-instated Chief Executive Officer of the Grootfontein Municipality, Charles Kariko, confirmed that he had received questions from New Era.
However by Sunday he had still not answered any of the questions sent to him. This reporter was also not able to get feedback from Mayor Emma Takuheke, as her mobile phone went unanswered.