'To hell with Parys'

27 January 2013 - 02:14 By Prega Govender
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UP AGAINST THE WALL: Police conduct a stop-and-search operation this week after violent protests in Zamdela, a township of Sasolburg Picture: SIMPHIWE NKWALI
UP AGAINST THE WALL: Police conduct a stop-and-search operation this week after violent protests in Zamdela, a township of Sasolburg Picture: SIMPHIWE NKWALI

The proposed merger of Sasolburg and Parys is being fought tooth and nail, writes Prega Govender

PARYS is home to the Vredefort Dome, a crater formed when a giant asteroid collided with Earth millions of years ago. The popular tourist destination in the northern Free State, which boasts a Nick Price Signature Golf Course, is also the home town of the province's premier, Ace Magashule, who has a house in the former township of Tumahole.

He appears to be extremely popular with residents there. Some , including Maria Ramaidi, who was born and raised in Tumahole, even refer to him as Jesus.

But among residents of Zamdela, a township in Sasolburg about 40km away, there was nothing but hatred for him at the height of this week's violent protests over the proposed merger of Metsimaholo municipality, which includes Sasolburg, with Ngwathe municipality, which includes Parys.

Graffiti sprayed in bold red on the walls of several homes and shops included unflattering references to Magashule. Others read "To hell with Parys".

Although the lack of consultation by the Metsimaholo municipality over the proposed merger has largely been blamed for the unrest, accusations by residents that Magashule was secretly pushing for Parys to become the so-called capital of the northern Free State also played a role.

The minister of cooperative governance, Richard Baloyi, put the merger on ice on Monday after violence escalated in the township.

Zamdela residents said fears that their free water and electricity would be taken away if the merger went ahead also fuelled this week's protests.

Metsimaholo's population is more than 200000; about 122000 people live in Ngwathe.

Metsimaholo municipality's executive mayor, Brutus Mahlaku, boasted that all residents were given 50 kilowatts of electricity for free every month.

In contrast, residents of Ngwathe receive only 15kW of free electricity - worth about R10. And even this is to be discontinued: the municipality will be reducing the allowance by 5kW annually, starting this year.

The budgets of the two municipalities and their provision of basic services also tell the story of why Zamdela residents exploded when they learnt of their proposed incorporation into the Ngwathe municipality.

Many said that Sasolburg was part of a wealthy municipality. They argued that one of South Africa's biggest energy and chemicals companies, Sasol, was based there. Parys, on the other hand, relies heavily on tourism to sustain itself.

Metsimaholo's budget for this year was R803-million, compared with Ngwathe's R476-million. Most importantly, said residents, Metsimaholo did not owe any money or have any bank overdrafts - and Ngwathe was short of R9.2-million. It also owes Eskom millions of rands for electricity.

Metsimaholo's water quality, according to the Department of Water Affairs, is excellent, whereas Parys residents claimed their water was "undrinkable".

In Metsimaholo there are only 8500 residents on the indigent list of those who qualify for free basic services such as lights and water; there are 16 000 in Parys.

Mahlaku denied suggestions that Magashule favoured Parys over Sasolburg, saying that projects totalling more than R500-million had been initiated since the latter took over as premier.

These projects, which were earmarked for Zamdela, included:

A R70-million clinic;

A R37-million sewerage project;

Community residential units worth R250-million; and

R26-million allocated for building pavements.

Said Mahlaku: "We don't owe a cent to anyone; we are financially sound."

He repeatedly declined to comment on whether or not he was in favour of the proposed merger.

"A leader must allow his people to air their views and on the basis of their views, he's then able to act," he said.

But he added that he was happy that Baloyi had suspended the process.

Some of the challenges he highlighted included:

The fact that residents in ward 1, living in a section known as Walter Sisulu, still used the shameful bucket system of sewage removal despite 19 years of democracy. A R37-million municipal infra-structure grant has been awarded to eradicate this problem;

The poor condition of roads; and

The provision of electricity in newly established informal settlements.

A spokesman for the Ngwathe municipality, Steve Naale, said the merger would result in an economic boost for the area.

"The merger doesn't necessarily single out Parys or Sasolburg as being the best places. From the economic growth perspective, the initiative was actually an indication of progressive thinking."

But Zamdela residents are digging in their heels and have vowed to fiercely resist any attempt to have their municipality incorporated into Ngwathe.

Said one visibly upset resident: "They want to take away our free water and electricity. Over my dead body will I allow that."

Joel Moshabe, who sustained injuries to his left shoulder after being shot with rubber bullets by police this week, said Sasolburg was huge compared to Parys.

"We will have to pay R50 for taxi fare if we have to travel to Parys to access services," he said.

Businessman Peter Rankoe, whose bottle store and restaurant were razed to the ground after they were looted and then burnt during the protests, also expressed uneasiness over the merger.

Zamdela resident Sivuyile Mkhuma, who is employed at Sasol, said although services were not very good in Sasolburg, they were still better than those provided in Parys.

Residents of Parys were divided over the benefits of the merger.

Although Tumahole residents supported it, those living in the town felt it would destroy the town's character as a tourist destination.

Ramaidi said it would bring much-needed employment opportunities.

She said Magashule looked after the interests of all those living in the Free State, not just those living in Parys.

"I can just call him Jesus because he's so humble. God sent him here. In Tumahole, no one will ever bad-mouth the premier," she said, with tears running down her face.

She said she was shocked by graffiti portraying Magashule as "Ace Makgosha" - makgosha being a Sotho word for prostitute.

Retired engineer Bob Andrews and his wife, Iris, who is the curator of the museum, said most of the townsfolk of Parys were opposed to the merger despite receiving poor services from the Ngwathe municipality.

"You can't drink the water and the sewage runs into the river. There's also potholes all over town," said Bob, who has lived in Parys for 15 years.

"It's public knowledge that the municipality is short of money."

But he said it was a peaceful town with little crime and that residents were "very philosophical" about their problems.

Artist Coral Fourie, who also lives in Parys, said a tourist facility, Mimosa Gardens, which was directly in front of her house, had become an eyesore after it fell into a state of disrepair.

Her husband, Jan, said potholes that were fixed reopened the next day because of the poor quality of the work.

"No one is happy with the services here," he said.

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