Update

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS -  The current state of the towns in the DBNLM area is a direct consequence of gross degradation and neglect due to poor service delivery, inept officials, rife corruption and irresponsible political oversight.

This is the opinion of various civic organisations and residents who plan to partake in a peaceful march and protest next week, 8 February. 

The organisers state that the incompetence at the municipality has brought residents to a point where they can no longer hope for things to improve.

Sias Smith of Action Save DBNLM says the local municipal administration - like too many others in South Africa - is spiraling out of control toward total collapse. "Residents are tired of escalated and faulty accounts from the municipal finance office, tired of not having adequate water supply, yet being charged for usage of water that has never even left their taps," Smith says.

Members of the general public, the Graaff-Reinet Residents & Ratepayers Association (GRRPA), Action Save DBNLM (ASDBNLM), the Camdeboo Community Development Forum, Steytlerville Residents Forum, the Dr Beyers Naude Residents and Ratepayers Action Group, the Aberdeen Ratepayers Association, the Nieu-Bethesda Ratepayers Association and the Willowmore Tourism and Business Chamber, have joined forces to collectively form the People for Basic Rights movement (P4BR).

P4BR aims to be an apolitical movement dedicated to unite all affected residents of the municipal area, bringing their concerns to the fore and protecting basic rights, this group feels the current management and officials of DBNLM ignore.

Calling all residents

P4BR is calling on all residents and businesses of the area to support the peaceful mass march on Wednesday 8 February at 09:30. According to the movement it will be a protected, lawful protest action and the necessary paperwork has been submitted, and permission obtained. Businesses and all other institutions are urged to close their doors from 10:00 to 11:00 in solidarity to the plight and outcry of residents. Liz Buisman of the Graaff-Reinet Ratepayers Association, along with all the organisers have given the assurance that the march will be peaceful. "The love for our town is great and there is no need to damage infrastructure or create violent discourse in the very town we wish to protect," Buisman says.

Marchers will assemble on the open space between the Robert Sobukwe Building and the railway line at 09:30. Marshalls with clear identification will be placed at strategic points to assist with the procession. The march will start at 10:15 down Church Street, halting at the Auditorium Building in Church Street where the crowd will be addressed by community leaders. A detailed memorandum containing the relevant grievances will be read out and handed to DBNLM Speaker Cheslin Felix.

P4BR pledges to keep residents informed with transparent feedback regarding any further actions against the municipality, should local government fail to positively respond and adhere to the demands of the public.

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