Ward 17 residents at Joe Slovo village under Ingquza Hill local municipality are crying foul over what they believe is poor service delivery in their ward. They are complaining about the bad conditions of Joe Slovo gravel road and the low-lying Manzamnyama bridge which overflows when there are heavy rains.
It is alleged that a learner died earlier this year trying to cross the bridge to school but up to this date there has been no action taken by the municipality to better the unpleasant conditions in that ward.
“This bridge causes a stand still on our lives when its raining. Our children can’t go to school, and we also can’t drive to work. We are hoping that the municipality will finally hear our cries and come to our rescue”, said one of the residents who asked to be kept anonymous.
Meanwhile, Zintle Sihlobo a grade 12 learner at Hillbrow Senior Secondary school in Lusikisiki said the Manzamnyama bridge is making their lives very difficult as learners because when there are heavy rains, they miss school because crossing the bridge is dangerous.
“The municipality is aware of these problems and have added the Joe Slovo gravel road on the priority list, but the problem we are facing now as the municipality is that one of our Machineries that were to be used in the process has been taken for repairs. Unfortunately, we don’t know when it will be fixed”, responded Bulelwa Chapha, Ingquza Hill local municipality communications manager.
Reports say the residents have been living under this unpleasant situation for years.
