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The Department of Housing, Local Government and Traditional Affairs is to send its officials to Lower Blinkwater near Fort Beaufort to assist the community through the process of surveying their land for developmental purposes.

MEC Gugile Nkwinti took the decision at a meeting held at Lower Blinkwater Community Hall.

Last year, the Lower Blinkwater community won its land claim case and since then there has been no development that took place in the area.

Instead the community has faced problems related to land invasion. Residents are now accusing the local councillors for not consulting them in meeting that are being held to discuss development in the area.

Residents claim that they have been receiving a raw deal from organisations such as the Land Claims Commission and are now appealing to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Traditional Affairs to assist them in developing the land.

Housing, schools, clinic and sports ground seemed to be on top of the community's development sites.

"We are waiting for the surveying of the land to begin so that we receive housing subsidies from the government", said one of the elderly residents. "We know that there is nothing that could be done without the land being surveyed. We want to be informed and be consulted about anything that we wish to be done here.

Amongst the problems raised by the community were:
* Unfenced roads resulting to loss of lives through accidents caused by stray animals.
* Unavailability of a high school in the area.
* Lack of infrastructure.
* Unavailability of tap water. Currently residents are fetching their water from the local river.

Unemployment in the area is rife and residents say this was further worsened by the closure of ULIMOCOR agricultural project. The community is keen to be involved in agricultural projects. The unemployment issue was identified to be critical and residents agreed that it must be addressed without any delay.

People complained about undisciplined policemen who drink in the local tavern and do not avail themselves to attend to crime related issues. Drunkenness within the community was identified to be a serious problem and it caused deteriorating moral fiver in the community. Local doctors were alleged to have drinking habits and showed little interests in the welfare of local residents.

The youth of the area requested that playgrounds be built.

They are in need of an ambulance services.

Responding to the issues raised in the meeting MEC Gugile Nkwinti encouraged the local leaders to be at the fore front at all times. He further encouraged the existing unity between coloureds and the blacks in the area.

He said the role of local government is to build houses, install infrastructrure and to survey the land. He promised the residents of the area that all these matters will be looked at as a matter of urgency.

On the issue of fenced roads, the MEC said the matter will be taken up with the Department of Public Works but the people of Lower Blinkwater must also be prepared to guard and watch the fence.

Nkwinti said the issue of a tavern that opens at all hours would first be taken up with the chairman of the liquor board.

The patient who was found dead along the river, poor ambulance service and unavailable mobile clinic.

He encouraged the community members to have a land plan. They must zone their land judiciously.

At the end of the meeting, speakers commended the MEC for the role he has played in uniting the community of Lower Blinkwater.

For further information, please contact: Mbulelo Linda at 083 455 8669

Issued by Housing, Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Eastern Cape

15 August 2001