The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has visited the informal settlement Diepsloot north of Johannesburg and found political in-fighting and lack of service delivery to be the key causes for the violent protests. Political in-fighting: Ex ANC councilors are the instigators behind the demonstrations against Diepsloot's councilor Isaac Maila of Ward 95 and councilor Jan Mahlangu of ward 96. They are also calling for the resignation of the Mayor Amos Masondo. The ex councilors are positioning themselves to come back as councilors in the next municipal elections in 2011, and are blaming the current councilors for non-delivery of services. But the calls for the removal of these councilors is politically motivated as these councilors are from the Mbeki faction, whilst the ex councilors are Zuma supporters. We know that service delivery is a problem. The facilities are there but they are not functioning and not serving the community's needs. Blame is being laid solely at the feet of the councilors while incompetence is also rife among municipal workers. Ex ANC councilors are pushing the issue further for their own political gain and inciting the community to rise up against the current councilors. In view of the political in-fighting within the ANC it is only a question of time before the next outbreak will take place. Service delivery issues: The DA has interviewed many residents and finds it deplorable that service delivery is in such a poor state. Problems include:
1. The removal of residents in ext 1. They were moved from the area as new sewage pipelines were being installed. But the residents are unhappy as they were moved to another shack under electricity pylons which is too far from their places of work.
2. People are living in an insanitary environment with raw sewage running down the road between shacks.
3. Some water connections have been out of order for the last two months.
4. No storm water channels exist, the roads are eroded and very difficult to negotiate.
5. There has been no housing delivery, only promises: The residents want to be moved to a site on the eastern side across the road that is privately owned but no feedback regarding their plight is forthcoming.
6. When it rains, the back of the school is flooded as all the storm water runs into it and it's impossible to get out.
These violent demonstrations are putting a huge strain on the community. South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) distributed pamphlets asking all traders to keep their businesses closed last week and the police needed to patrol the streets near schools to protect them. The DA calls on government to appoint an independent task force comprised of various political parties to investigate the situation further and to find real solutions for the lack of service delivery in Diepsloot and to address the problems created by political in-fighting.