Complaints against the ANC/ActionSA led Tshwane Council continue to pour in, with residents saying that the Laudium/Erasmia area is being severely neglected with service delivery being at its lowest since the past few years.
Resident, Rashid Mahomed of Bengal Str told the Laudium Sun that while he accepts that residents have a duty to report on matters such as non-functioning street lights, but said so do the Council officials, the three Councillors living in the area (who are well paid by the Council) and members of the so called Laudium Residents Association (who to date since formation have not called a public meeting to give general feedback to the community or hold an AGM). Rashid added, “Where are all these people involved with the Council, who also live or work in the area? How come we do not hear any of them complaining about the poor service delivery in the area? Is it because some of them are being paid by the Council so they are remaining silent or are others being the front of the Councillors? I have yet to see the Councillors publically list all the ongoing complaints that have not yet been attended to, by the Tshwane led ANC/ActionSA Council. We only hear about the so called successes of the Council, even with that many of the same problems re-occur soon thereafter. Besides, neither the three Councillors in the area nor the Council are doing us any favour by attending to our complaints. It is unacceptable that we are being treated as second class residents by the City of Tshwane.” In one of the latest complaints of poor service delivery, residents on 19th Ave have complained about an open drain that they say has been open for months. Despite residents complaining to the Council, the drain remains open and dangerous for children playing in the area and could cause a blockage as it is filled with rubbish. Marie Defos (57) one of the concerned residents of 19th Avenue, said she is concerned about the open drain on her street, which is outside her gate. Despite her repeated complaints to the Council the issue remains unresolved, posing a significant risk to children who play in the area, especially at night. Marie told the Laudium Sun, “I have been complaining about this open drain for a month now. It is not only the kids that will
be affected and who can get hurt but adults also can get hurt, while walking here, especially at night. This open drain is not only an eyesore, but it is also a hazard to each and every person that uses this side of the street I’m worried that someone will get hurt. It started when Tshwane Municipality workers were seen opening the drain and cleaning it, but after they were done, they left it wide open, that is where the problem began. The drain is like this because of the Tshwane Municipality. If only they were more careful and caring this could have been prevented. Now their negligence is affecting us.” Vijan Govender (51) who is also concerned about the open drain, told the Laudium Sun, “This open drain can cause a hazard when it starts flooding during the rainy season as it can overwhelm the drainage system, which is filled with rubbish, causing water to overflow onto the streets and surrounding areas. The pavement/tar road can also be affected, leading to further damage. This can also cause traffic flow and can render this busy street to be inaccessible, thus causing an inconvenience to residents who use this street. Besides, even children who play in the area during the day or adults walking past here at night can get their foot in the drain and injure themselves. This open drain needs to be closed urgently, it has been standing open for too long now, I cannot understand why is the Council dragging its feet on this matter? They should just do their job and fix it.”
The Laudium Sun called Paul Bennet from Cllr Patel’s office, to comment on the open drain, but a rather rude Paul gave a distasteful comment for someone serving the community, “I have no comment to make.”