Just how much longer should residents in Ward 61 endure poor service delivery from the ANC controlled Tshwane Council and it’s representative, ANC Ward Councillor Naeem Patel, is the question many residents are asking.
Despite promises after promises by both Patel and the Council, residents of Laudium and Erasmia say that they are tired of complaining as their complaints are not taken seriously, with some residents even claiming that Patel assists mainly those who are his supporters or in his inner circle. Each week the Laudium Sun receives complaints of crime and poor service delivery, especially concerning the Tshwane Council.
In one of the latest complaints received, residents of Liesching Street, in Erasmia have complained about an underground water pipe leakage that has not been properly fixed by the Council. Similar to the complaints from certain Mink Street residents in Laudium, as reported in our July 2 issue, the frustrated Erasmia residents say that the area is muddy and dirty, with sand and water all over the place, causing inconvenience, for both residents and passing cars or pedestrians, as the area is not only untidy but slippery. Residents also say that they are unhappy with the poor services carried out by the Council and that Patel’s office has also not assisted in this regard. According to residents, the leakage was first repaired about one month ago, but the issue has not been fully resolved, as the Municipal workers did not return to properly sort out the issue and restore the area after digging up on one side of the street, causing vehicles to swerve in order to avoid the sinking hole, which was just merely covered with sand. Community members are now calling on the Council to urgently attend to the matter and complete the repairs properly, to prevent further damage and inconvenience in the area, as the local CPF remains silent, despite the potential of injuries or accidents being caused.
Hasmukh Jivan of Liesching Street told the Laudium Sun, “This kind of poor service from the Tshwane Council is disappointing and it feels like things are slowly getting worse day by day. The water leakage on our street was repaired about a month ago, but even after that, nothing has been done to properly restore the area. The sand that was dug up remains scattered everywhere and the open water patches have not been properly covered or secured. Because of this, the area has become messy and unsafe. It is creating difficulty for both pedestrians and vehicles passing through the street. There is a real risk that this condition could lead to traffic congestion and even accidents if it is not addressed soon. The street is now not in a proper state and it is causing frustration among all the residents living around here. We had already informed the Council a long time ago about this issue, expecting that it would be resolved quickly and properly. Unfortunately, nothing has been done since the initial repair work. It feels like our concerns are being ignored and that is very disappointing for the community. This is not how maintenance work should be handled. If a job is started, it should be completed fully and properly, not left halfway. Residents are paying for services and expect the Council to carry out their responsibilities with care and efficiency. We, the residents of Liesching Street, are truly unhappy with the current condition. We do not want constant problems or the need to make repeated complaints. We just want the matter to be attended to properly so that we can live in a clean and safe environment. The Council must take responsibility and come to complete the repairs without further delay. We are requesting them to do their job properly and ensure that such issues do not remain unresolved for such long periods of time. This has become a serious inconvenience and immediate attention is needed.”
Naveed Aslam, also of Liesching Street, told the Laudium Sun, “The current condition outside our homes remains concerning and continues causing discomfort for people living here. After earlier maintenance work on a burst pipeline, completed roughly a month ago, the surrounding ground was left uneven, with loose soil still spread across the roadway. Since then, no follow-up restoration has taken place to properly level the surface and restore the street to its original condition by tarring it. This rough part of the street has created ongoing difficulty for motorists passing through, especially during busy hours when two-way movement increases significantly. Pedestrians also struggle to walk safely, as unstable muddy patches and scattered material make it unsafe. Many households in the vicinity have already raised their concerns with the local authorities and the Councillor’s office, expecting corrective action soon after the initial intervention. However, no visible improvement has been made, leaving the area in an unchanged and neglected state. The lack of response has led to growing frustration among families who rely on this route daily for commuting, school travel, and essential errands. The situation also raises safety concerns, as the uneven terrain combined with remaining damp spots can contribute to vehicle damage or unexpected, unsafe incidents. Residents feel that proper finishing work should always follow any repair activity, ensuring roads and surrounding spaces are restored to acceptable conditions. At present, the community is requesting urgent attention from the responsible departments to complete the unfinished task without further delay. We also once more urge Cllr Patel to intervene on this matter, which has been ongoing for over a month. People living here simply want a clean, stable and hazard-free environment restored to their street, so daily movement can continue without worry or inconvenience.”
