Following a number of articles addressing the failure of the ANC led Tshwane Council and the ANC local Councillor Patel, concerning poor service delivery in the area, reports have been received by the Laudium Sun, that Patel is now seemingly showing an act of sudden concern.
A number of residents have said that Patel is now suddenly contacting concerned groups and organisations trying to paint a ‘good picture’ of the failing ANC led Council, by holding meetings and making promises, despite knowing well that he is in no position to make any promises concerning service delivery in the area. In fact Patel is seen by many as a puppet and can only say to the community or post on social media, what is told to him by Council officials or their ANC masters. It is still to be seen when Patel will openly confront his ANC comrades in Council concerning poor service delivery in the area and corruption in Council.
This follows residents still complaining about poor service delivery in the Laudium area, the latest complaint being from residents living in the Primrose Street area, who told the Laudium Sun that they have been living in fear for years now, due to an open electric box, which they have temporarily covered with cardboard. They claim the box has remained open for the past four years, despite numerous complaints to the Council, which complaints remain ignored.
Maya Padayachy, a resident of Primrose Street, told the Laudium Sun, “The electric box near my house has been open for nearly four years, having no door. Despite numerous complaints to the Council, no one has come to fix it. When it rains, water gets inside, which causes power outages on our street due to the electricity tripping. We’ve reported the issue to the Council office many times over the years, but all they do is come, inspect it, and leave without resolving anything. This situation is extremely dangerous, especially because many children play on the street. Any child could accidentally touch the exposed electrical components, which could result in serious harm or even death. We are tired of reporting the issue because it feels pointless—no one from the Council ever follows through. We have several reference numbers from our complaints, but we’ve lost hope after four years with no action. There are also many illegal electricity connections coming from the open meter box, which is a significant loss for the Council as well. I urge the Council and the Councillor to take this matter very seriously and fix the meter box as soon as possible. When Patel wanted our votes then he came to speak to us. Why doesn’t he come here again to hear and see for himself what our problems are? We want him to come to White Blocks and address the residents here not somewhere else.”
Sheraz Ismail, another Primrose Street resident, told the Laudium Sun, “This situation is completely unacceptable—we are really suffering because of this open electric box near our house. I feel that as a community, we are being neglected, possibly because we’re from the White Blocks. How can the Council take four years just to replace one door on the electric box? This clearly shows a lack of service delivery. We are calling on the Council to fix it immediately before a serious incident occurs. Residents of Primrose Street are tired of constantly complaining. We don’t want more empty promises or loud statements from the Council or Councillor—we want action.”
Primrose Street resident, Sondla Chetty, told the Laudium Sun, “The Council came a long time ago to inspect the open meter box and even took some photos. My husband has since covered it with cardboard, hoping the Council would return to fix it—but they never came back. For the past four years, the box has remained open and covered with that same cardboard. It’s honestly shameful to say we live in South Africa, because I believe even in poorer countries, they at least have proper electric boxes. What I cannot understand is that Cllr Patel claims to be checking on all areas and talking to people living in different areas of Laudium. How come he has not seen this open electric box and how come he has not visited us in White Blocks to see how we are living and to listen to our complaints.”
Angie Aurakasamy, another resident of Primrose Street, told the Laudium Sun, “The Council said they were coming to fix the meter box—four years ago. Now it’s 2025, and nothing has happened. The Council must come and replace this broken electric meter box for everyone’s safety.”