approach of the government to attempt to legislate desired situations into being instead of addressing the real problems of poverty and the brutalised existence of millions of South Africans - of which 48 per cent live below the poverty line.
Many commentators have frowned upon this bureaucratic imposition that will effectively mean the addition of more self-seeking officials providing less service to fewer people - as have been the case hitherto.
The resentment of local communities against these non-performing, democratically elected councillors run deep. They are accused of only looking after their own interests while simply ignoring those of the people in the townships and locations where service provision have in some cases collapsed.
People have complained of a lack of burial sites, of lack of provision of water fit for human consumption, and the like. In response people have the situation in 'Phase 6', the last phase of houses built in Vrygrond. Houses in this area were occupied in 2002 after it became clear that long-time Vrygrond residents would be left without a house when the development finished.
This resulted in a long battle between residents and the Cape Town Unicity, which has not been resolved. As of today, houses in the area lack electricity, water and toilets.
These are not the only households lacking services, however. Some of the residents of Vrygrond live in shacks on plots allocated for them, due to the fact that they did not qualify for a housing subsidy.
These residents (particularly in "Phase 5) still lack access to electricity, more than 2 years organised themselves Concerned Residents' Groups to highlight their demands.
Other examples of this malaise are the liberal use of consultants by these councillors and councils paying exorbitant salaries to senior office bearers.
Little if any popular, democratic accountability exists. Similar examples are found at the provincial and national level of government.
It is anticipated that as these struggles develop that they are bound to dovetail with those being conducted under the banner of the Social Movement Indaba (SMI).
The 2005/6 local government elections will afford an opportunity these and other progressive social and political forces to raise and propagate the demands of the majority working class and landless peasants. • Julian Sauls is a member of APDUSA and an activist in the Anti-Privatisation Forum in the Western Cape. after development was 'completed" in the area.
Finally, Vrygrond lacks all facilities: no community hall, no clinic, no police station and no schools!
This is despite the fact that it is Cape Town's oldest informal settlement, dating back to 1929!
The Vrygrond Action Committee has repeatedly met with politicians and officials from both the local and provincial governments.
We are tired of meetings but no delivery! We demand water, toilets and electricity for all!
We demand that more houses be built for backyard dwellers and those in shacks!
We want to see real timetables for delivery and development in Vrygrond!