Service delivery by the ANC-led Tshwane Council in Ward 61, is getting from bad to worse, with Cllr Patel, seemingly spending more time sharing birthday cakes in order to secure his campaign, to stand for elections again next year.
In yet another complaint received recently, regarding poor service delivery, residents of 7th Avenue, Laudium, expressed their disgust with the Tshwane Council for failing to repair the streetlights on their street, which have not been functioning for about three years now. Residents say that due to the darkness of the streets and the park at night, numerous illegal activities are taking place in the area, with drug users using the 7th Ave park, for various illegal activities. This, despite the Laudium CPF and wardens claiming to patrol the streets in the area.
Yusuf Adam Saleh Mohammed, a concerned 7th Avenue, Laudium, resident told the Laudium Sun, “The streetlights in our area have been off for nearly three years and it’s causing us serious problems. The darkness has led to many inconveniences and has created an environment for criminal activity. The streets are pitch dark at night and this invites a lot of illegal behaviour, in what used to be a peaceful neighbourhood. Youngsters no longer come to the 7th Avenue Park to play sports during the day. Instead, the park has become more active at night, unfortunately, not in a good way. With no lighting, many youth engage in illegal activities, especially drug use, under the cover of darkness. Our neighbourhood used to be safe and drug-free. But now, due to deteriorating infrastructure and what seems to be a lack of care from the Council, Laudium feels like it’s becoming a dumping ground and even worse, a playground for certain politicians. It saddens me. I remember 40 or 50 years ago, the children were raised with respect and dignity. But now, some of the new generation have no respect at all. They commit crime openly, right in front of us. As Indian South Africans, we’re losing the values we once held dear. We need a strong, honest leader in our community, someone who can lead the community and Laudium towards a brighter future and help save Laudium and its youth.”
Shoaib Mahomed of 7th Avenue, told the Laudium Sun, “It’s truly disgraceful that we live in an area where politicians clearly don’t care about us. The streetlights on 7th Avenue have been off for years and yet Councillor Patel remains silent. If he cannot assist the community then he should go and let someone else take the position. This is pure negligence. When these politicians need our votes, they come knocking, making all sorts of promises. But when it comes to actual service delivery, they disappear and show no concern for the community. We’ve been suffering for too long without streetlights. We can’t bear this darkness any longer. We elected these leaders, so they must now serve the people, not serve themselves. The community wants the streetlights restored urgently. There are serious illegal activities happening on our street. Without proper lighting, youngsters are taking advantage of the darkness to do as they please. I’ve even seen a couple from our street, who sit in the park and openly use drugs. They’re bold enough to do it because there’s no lighting to deter them. The blame lies squarely with the Council for failing to maintain the basic infrastructure of our town. It’s a shame and a wake-up call. If our leaders can’t take responsibility for such a basic service, then they’ve truly failed us.”
Jasmin Shaikh, also of 7th Avenue, told the Laudium Sun, “The streetlights on our street have been off for about three years now and no one is doing anything about it. I know that there are many illegal activities happening—especially in our park, but without streetlights, it’s difficult to see who is involved. We need the lights back on, so that we can clearly see what’s going on and identify who is putting our children at risk with drugs and other crimes in the park. The darkness is protecting the wrong people and it’s our children who are suffering the consequences.”
Attempts to get a comment from Cllr Patel were unsuccessful.