Ward councillor vigilant about Comet problems
While the residents of Comet were rioting on Rondebult Road on February 24, Ward Clr Hilary Coke was discussing the problems in the area with the community leaders, as well as SAPS and EMPD officers.
Coke says that she has been meeting regularly with the community leaders to assist in rectifying the problems they have in the area.
“I was actively trying to encourage the residents to meet with the relevant officials.”
She adds that while in the meeting, she was told by Patricia Krune, who started the protest, that the colour of her skin is white and she doesn’t care about the people in Comet.
“I am a ward councillor that has compassion for the residents in my area,” says Coke.
She says when the residents received eviction notices, she went with them to the High Court, but unfortunately the proceedings had been postponed.
Comet Village is built on privately-owned land, which the metro is in the process of buying.
The land owners cut off electrical services in March, 2013, and in May the water was disconnected when the owner had not paid for services and also ripped up all of the electrical cables to prevent illegal connections.
“At the time, the Corporate and Legal Services Department reported that there was nothing they could do as the owner was entitled to do as he wished.”
She says that since then she has been vigilant about ensuring the community is provided with water by two water tankers, twice a day.
Coke was also responsible for the metro installing six taps with running water on the edge of Comet in order for its residents to have access to clean running water while they waited for the metro to follow through with the purchase of the land.
“From when Living Africa Properties bought the land, I have been involved with the leaders and the community. I, as DA councillor, have been doing my utmost to help the people living in Comet Village,” she adds.
She says that the day after the riot, she drove into Comet and many of the residents greeted her by her name.
According to her only a handful of the protestors were residents of Comet Village.
“Many of the residents were against the riot due to the court proceedings.”
Coke says that she is in possession of the plans for the new Comet Village, and has shown the community leaders the future vision.
“As the ward councillor, I am very concerned about the residents and former ERPM employees, as they were promised that they would keep their homes, but this was never put in writing.”
