Lonwabo Mtyeku | Photo Credit: Lonwabo Mtyeku
Moffat View, Johannesburg – Democratic Alliance (DA) Councillor Michael Crichton today conducted a community walkabout in Moffat View, reinforcing the party’s commitment to hands-on governance and direct engagement with residents on service delivery and safety concerns.
The walkabout formed part of the DA’s ongoing programme to take governance to the streets and ensure that residents’ concerns are heard and addressed directly. Moving through various parts of Moffat View, Cllr Crichton interacted with community members, assessed local infrastructure, and listened to issues affecting daily life in the area.
Residents Raise Service Delivery Concerns
During the walkabout, residents highlighted a range of challenges, including deteriorating roads, inconsistent refuse removal, blocked stormwater drains, and inadequate street lighting. Several residents also raised concerns about safety, noting that poor lighting and delayed municipal maintenance contribute to criminal activity and a general sense of neglect.
Crichton stressed the importance of engaging communities directly to understand the real impact of service delivery failures.
“You cannot fix problems you do not see. Being on the ground allows us to hear residents directly, assess the situation first-hand, and ensure that issues are properly escalated and addressed,” he said.
Accountability and Follow-Up
The councillor confirmed that all issues raised during the walkabout would be formally reported to the relevant City of Johannesburg departments, with follow-ups to ensure accountability and timely intervention.
“Residents deserve consistent services and honest communication. Where systems fail, they must be corrected. Our responsibility is to make sure that residents are not ignored,” Crichton added.
Focus on Safety and Community Involvement
Crime and public safety also featured prominently during discussions with residents. Crichton encouraged greater collaboration between the community, ward structures, and law enforcement, noting that safer neighbourhoods require active participation from all stakeholders.
Ongoing Community Engagement
Crichton reaffirmed the DA’s commitment to ongoing community engagement beyond election cycles, saying that regular walkabouts form a critical part of responsive governance.
“Leadership means being visible, accessible, and accountable. We will continue to engage residents in Moffat View and across Johannesburg to ensure their voices shape the decisions that affect their lives,” he said.
Further community engagements are expected in the coming weeks as part of the DA’s broader oversight and service delivery monitoring programme across the city.
