Mariano Castrillón: The Times of December 20 has various articles showing how Johannesburg, the city which used to be the Jewel of Africa, has become a big rubbish dump.

It is evident that the present situation has not been created in one day.

It has taken years of neglect, lack of interest and responsibility on the part of our authorities, headed by our executive mayor, Amos Masondo, to reach this stage - which, instead of diminishing, is showing signs of growing unstoppably.

No matter where we look, whether it is municipal billing, traffic control, road maintenance, safety and security or the riots by shack dwellers who can no longer accept to live like pigs, the lack of management is evident everywhere.

We are treated with such contempt and lack of respect that we wonder if there is any executive with any sense of integrity in this municipality.

Masondo is where he is because the ANC put him there.

He is a disgrace to South Africa and he should be made aware of it.

He should resign and be replaced by somebody with integrity and the determination to stop the rot.

All of us, black and white, long for the days when we could window-shop in Eloff Street and enjoy the Christmas lights.

We want our city back.