The newly appointed Premier of Gauteng, Mr. Paul Mashatile kick-started his Imbizo programme by visiting Emfuleni Local Municipality. He went on a door to door visit in Sharpeville, Putswastene where he interacted with residents and listened to their needs. He was moved by some of the living conditions of residents which include badly constructed houses with concrete roofs that are leaking during rainy seasons. He lamented the fact that some houses were located near the Leeukuil Dam well known as the Dlomo Dam.

Addressing a packed marquee with residents who could not be deterred by the bad weather, he promised to send a team of engineers soon to attend to problems raised in the door to door campaign. He also indicated that the Leeukuil Dam is earmarked for massive developments which should start before 2010. Furthermore, he announced that all streets of Sharpeville will be tarred in the near future, a project set to accelerate next year.

Mr. Paul Mashatile addressing community during Gauteng Imbizo at Sharpeville

He said the provincial government will prioritise clinics, refurbishing of schools, fighting crime by adding street patrollers and strengthening Community Police Forums.

In line with 2010, the Premier Mashatile said even though sport facilities might not be used for 2010 purposes but attention will be given to George Stadium. Phase 1 of the upgrading of George Thabe has been completed. Further upgrading will carried out in time before 2010.

Most of these projects are expected to provide job opportunities and preference will be given to local labour.

Community raises issues with the Premier

The community though full of praises for the work government has done in the past 14 years, did not spare the provincial leadership some measure of criticism. They informed the Premier that they would love to see the government assist with the construction of a Community Hall, speed humps, drainage system and maintenance of electricity infrastructure especially in newly built RDP houses.

They also complained about allocation of houses and corruption in the administration of houses including alleged fraudulent sale of RDP houses. The Premier promised to look into these issues and to report back in due course. The next stop for the provincial imbizo will happen in two weeks time in Sebokeng Stadium on Wednesday,19 November 2008. The last visit will see the Premier going to Bophelong on Wednesday, 26 November 2008. The format of all these visits will include door to door visits and an address at a single venue at around 17h00.In all the visit the Premier will be accompanies by Members of the Provincial Councils, Mayors and Members of the Mayoral Committees.