Getrude Makhafola

Getrude Makhafola

Local councillors in and around the mining areas of Merafong on the West Rand came under the spotlight.

Residents of Kokosi, Fochville, and Wedela made sure that their ward councillors stood next to them yesterday as they complained about the lack of service delivery.

Gauteng premier Paul Mashatile was conducting a door-to-door campaign in the townships.

Residents also took the opportunity to complain about the quality of their RDP houses and that they have waited for years to be allocated houses.

Most of the areas in Merafong were recently incorporated into Gauteng together with Khutsong township in Carletonville.

Kokosi councillor Margaret Dyonase and ANC chairperson on the West Rand Mpho Nawa could not say much except to promise that the residents' grievances would be addressed.

The people of Merafong depended on the mines to make a living .

But the economic downturn has hit the mines so hard recently, resulting in retrenchments and rampant unemployment.