2 October 2014
The South African Communist Party in the Brian Bunting District welcomes the release of the report by Social Justice Coalition (SJC) and Ndifuna Ukwazi (NU) social Audit on the sanitation services.
Indeed the report reflects the dire state of the outcomes of the poor service delivery the city of Cape Town is rendering to the communities around the metro.
We further note the negative attitude in the response from the City through Councillor Sonnenberg MAYCO member for Utilities. His response reflects an arrogant attitude with racial connotations of the DA towards poor communities.
In reference to the councillors response; "It is deeply ironic that the SJC, which has appointed itself the guardian of the dignity of the most vulnerable in our city, would rather grandstand, utilise social media platforms, and have lengthy report back sessions rather than work with the City to directly improve the lives of residents".
The above reflects the City of Cape Town and the DA government`s unrelenting attitude in general whenever an institution presents findings that shed light on their administrations skewed service delivery, or lack thereof. Councillor Sonnenberg further argues that; "why does the SJC not report faults when they occur, but rather wait to compile `dossiers` with out-of-date data for maximum self-serving publicity? It is pointless to collate out-of-date information. If they were actually interested in assisting residents, they would report faults for remedial action".
Indeed the outcome of this comprehensive report on the state of sanitation facilities in working class areas is just a tip of the ice bag; the streets of Cape Town are full of sewage because of the drain blockages.
As the SACP we have maintained our view that in the eyes of the DA government whatever crisis exists, the first solution will be to commodify it. Hence R60 million has been spent without any attempt to deal with the sanitation challenges permanently.
We remain convinced that there is no solution that can be manufactured outside answering the housing question in the Western Cape and the willingness to provide better services to the working class communities.
It is against this background that we strongly believe that the unwillingness and reactionary attitude of the DA government is not helping. Hence the National Government should take over the building of houses in the Western Cape.
Issued by SACP Brian Bunting District
Contact:
Masonwabe Sokoyi - SACP Western Cape Provincial Spokesperson
Cell: 0765243242
Office: 021 696 2522
Fax: 086 558 2481
Twitter: @SACPWC
Facebook: SACP Western Cape
Email: sacpwc.media@gmail.com