NIEU-BETHESDA NEWS — About 30 members of the Nieu-Bethesda community gathered on Monday, November 13, to express their concerns about the lack of communication from municipal departments within the Dr Beyers Naudé Municipality regarding state projects and funding in the village.

This gathering follows an attempt to engage with the municipality by way of their councillor, but after having still not received any word from any municipal officials, they are planning drastic action.

During the gathering, the concerned residents - affiliated to the Nieu-Bethesda Action Group - expressed their concerns about the following issues:

• The mayor has not met with the community since September.

• The new municipal manager has not yet been introduced to the community.

• State departments including the departments of Rural Development, Social Development, Agriculture, Human Settlements, Labour and the Police need to address the community to inform them about:

a) What funding has been allocated to various projects in the village;

b) Evidence as to where this funding has been used and;

c) Who is actually managing these projects.

The residents stated that the vision of the recently established Action Group is to ascertain exactly where funding allocated to Nieu-Bethesda is going.

They stressed that they are an apolitical group who are willing to 'take a bullet' in their determination to succeed in this venture.

They also stated that unless the departments listed above take immediate action and come to Bethesda to address their questions, they will endeavour to radical action - their first step being to close the road to the village - albeit using the legal and peaceful way in accomplishing this.

The Nieu-Bethesda Action Group says that it is time that the entire community is informed about State projects in the community which they should all be benefitting from.

This group of people in Nieu-Bethesda are simply wanting communication and solutions to a problem that has been ongoing for many years.

The Nieu-Bethesda Action Group's chairman, Roman Davidson, appeals to all the residents of the village to contact him at 060 928 4310 should they have any information about sponsors made available for community projects which residents should be made aware of.