Residents cry for the beloved city

06 May 2015 - 02:32 By Penwell Dlamini

As Johannesburg mayor Parks Tau delivers his state of the city address today, the city's residents have interesting views on what should top his priorities. The city's four revenue earning entities - Pikitup, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, City Power and Joburg Water - have all failed to reach their targets. The decline means the city has to find other sources to fund its multibillion rand capital expenditure programme.The city is also trying to revitalise its CBD by buying old properties and converting them into low-cost residential units. It also has a backlog in improving its traffic signalling system and fixing potholes.Another problem Tau is facing is to minimise the impact of load-shedding.Xenophobia is another challenge confronting him.While these issues are likely to dominate his speech, The Times readers have called on him to make the city clean, create jobs and make officials do their jobs.Engelo Scott exclaimed: "Corruption! Jobs!"Fortunate Malaza Legoabe said: "We need a clean and healthy city and an action plan on illegal immigrants, as well jobs, particularly for graduates."Tebogo Phukubye said: "Officials must do what they are hired to do."Wilson Gouveia said: "Clean up Hillbrow."The social networks were also abuzz.Twitter user?@mafalom raised a number of issues he would like the mayor to address. He tweeted: "@CityofJoburgZA #MayorTau #JoburgSOCA, Start introducing rewards for good citizenship, morale for our people is at all time low."Kindly rotate Police officers from 1 station to another to curb corruption."Bring soldiers 24/7 and 365 days in a year. Pay attention to unregulated business, for this is where potential lies."M?@joelmabeke tweeted: "@CityofJoburgZA and pls pls clean it, Joburg is now a slum city." Additional reporting by Shenaaz Jamal...

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