The failure by the ANC-led Tshwane Council and ANC-led Gauteng Department, more so the Dept of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs in ensuring that aging infrastructure throughout the Province and in particular the Laudium area, is upgraded, is certainly starting to bite on service delivery.
It has become a ‘norm’ that each time the area experiences severe rain or wind, electricity services and open storm water pipes are the first to fail. This past week, with the frequent heavy downpours and even hail, residents have once more been living in the dark from a few hours to a few days, due to electricity outages. Additionally, a number of roads around the area were not easily accessible, as rising rain water accumulated at various spots, due to blocked and worn out storm water pipes. The shortage of skilled Council workers has also contributed to the chaos caused during the heavy rains. It is unfortunate that the very same ANC government that most local residents voted for during the past elections, is now showing contempt to their very own voters.
Younus Bodhania, a resident of 13th Avenue, Laudium, told the Laudium Sun, “The past 2 days has not been easy for my family and I, as we have been without electricity at our house. I have complained many times, but there is no feedback from the City of Tshwane. The service from the Council is really terrible as we have been living in darkness today (Thursday, Dec 4) and yesterday (Wednesday). When I reported the power outage to the Council, they gave the same old story that they would attend to my complaint as soon as possible, with them adding that the whole of Pretoria has been affected by the heavy rains. Even our local Councillor was unable to help me or escalate the issue. Honestly I am fed up with the current poor service delivery from the Council. The ongoing power outage has left us struggling to manage our daily routine. Without electricity, we are unable to use basic appliances such as a refrigerator, stove, lights and even a heating or cooling system. This has created significant inconvenience and frustration for us and many others facing a similar problem. It is worse during the nights, as we are even scared of being attacked by criminals due to the darkness. I am worried about food spoilage, the inability to charge electronic devices and the general disruption to our daily life. Long delays in addressing the
issue by the Council has worsened the situation, leaving me feeling ignored and frustrated. I have reported the problem multiple times, but the repeated lack of action from the Council has left us feeling abandoned. While the Council continues to attend to other areas of Pretoria, we are left waiting indefinitely for a technician to restore power. We have been forced to rely on alternative solutions such as using candles, or staying with a relative in another area, which adds to the daily stress and inconvenience. Local Councillor Naeem Patel should be helping to escalate the issue, but he has also been absent, further increasing our sense of helplessness. The Council appears to prioritize other areas in Tshwane.”
Priya Patel, also of 13th Avenue, told the Laudium Sun, “Our family has been without power this week for 2 days ( Wed/Thurs) and still there is no technician who can address the power outage. This is really bad because the weather is so terrible and we need to bath and do household chores where hot water is required. What bad service! I did not expect this from the Council. The ongoing power outage has made daily life extremely difficult. Without electricity we are also unable to perform basic household tasks, including cooking, cleaning and maintaining hygiene. The frustration is compounded by the absence of any communication from the Council or the technicians who are supposed to address the issue. I have repeatedly reported the problem, but there has been no response or action taken so far. I am left waiting indefinitely, while the weather worsens and our daily routine remains disrupted. I pray for urgent action to restore power, so that we can resume our normal daily activities without further disruption. The ongoing outage highlights the need for better service delivery, upgraded infrastructure, improved communication and faster response times from local authorities, to prevent residents like us from being left in prolonged discomfort during emergencies or harsh weather conditions.”
