Poor service delivery by the ANC-led Tshwane Council has once more led to the ire of Ward 61 residents, with complaints even levelled against ANC Ward Councillor, Naeem Patel.
This time, residents of Laudium living in the 8th Avenue and Garnet Street area have again expressed concern about the poor condition of the old and rusted pedestrian steel bridge linking Laudium to Ext 2.
Residents say that the bridge, which has not been maintained by the Council for years, is a danger, especially at night due to the poor lighting, resulting in pedestrians using the bridge often being accosted by criminals. Residents have also complained about the area around the foot of the bridge always being filthy, with all types of rubbish and even dead animals being dumped there, causing a foul smell and an unhygienic situation, with rats and insects breeding in the heap of rubbish.
Silva Chetty of 8th Avenue told the Laudium Sun, “The bridge situated at the corner of 8th Avenue and Garnet Street, next to the Laudium Swimming Pool, has been an ongoing major concern for us as residents living nearby. There are many crimes taking place in our area, especially at night and I suspect that criminals may be hiding under the bridge as the place is dark due to no lighting, making it an ideal hotspot for criminal activity. As we all know, Laudium has become a dumping ground, and there is no law and order. Our Council is not doing enough to make Laudium a better place for residents. Many people come here, especially at night, to dump their rubbish under the bridge. They do not care about those who live nearby or the consequences of their actions. The smell coming from the bridge is terrible, and we, as residents living next to it, struggle to breathe properly because of the filthy conditions. This is not only unpleasant but also a serious public health concern for our community. We should not have to live in fear or put up with such conditions in our own neighbourhood. The bridge is in a very poor condition and it appears that neither the Tshwane Council nor Cllr Patel are interested in sorting out the problem. We need the relevant authorities to investigate the situation and take urgent action to address the ongoing dumping, clean up the place and ensure that the area is safe for residents. If people are using the bridge as a hiding place for criminal activities, the Police and the CPF must also look into this problem and improve safety in the area. It is shameful that residents must raise these issues repeatedly while the situation continues to worsen. We are concerned about what is happening around us because we are the ones who have to live with the consequences. We want to see a clean, safe and properly maintained Laudium, where residents can live without worrying about crime, illegal dumping and foul smells outside their homes. We really want change in Laudium and I hope after these upcoming elections, there will be a change for the better in the composition of the new Council. Residents are tired of seeing the same problems continue without proper solutions. The abandoned bridge cannot be ignored any longer and we hope the authorities will take this matter seriously before the situation gets worse.”
Krishni Pillay of Garnet Street, told the Laudium Sun, “I am disappointed and I believe many residents in our community share the same feeling with the way the Council is handling its responsibilities. We are living in fear because of the crime in our area and this neglected bridge has become a major concern for those of us who live nearby. There are vagrants who stay under the bridge and as residents we are worried about what takes place there, especially at night, as the place is very dark, an ideal situation for criminals. What frustrates us the most is that these problems continue without any visible intervention by the Police, the CPF or the politicians. We cannot understand why such a situation is being allowed to continue when it affects the safety and well-being of people living in the surrounding area. Illegal dumping is another serious issue that needs immediate attention. People are using the space at the foot of the bridge to dispose of their rubbish, leaving the area filthy and unpleasant. This creates an unhealthy environment and makes the surrounding neighbourhood look neglected. Residents should not have to tolerate these conditions when the relevant authorities have a responsibility to maintain public spaces and ensure that they do not become a nuisance to the community. In my opinion, the bridge should be demolished if the authorities are no longer interested in maintaining it for its intended purpose, as presently it is just causing a nuisance. We need a permanent solution rather than allowing the situation to continue deteriorating while residents are left to deal with the consequences. What disappoints me further is the lack of visible action from our Councillor, Naeem Patel. We expect our elected representatives to identify problems, engage with the community and ensure that residents’ concerns are taken seriously. Unfortunately, many people feel that their complaints are not receiving the attention they deserve. We need leadership that is prepared to take responsibility and work towards practical solutions instead of leaving residents feeling forgotten. Laudium deserves better, and our community should not have to struggle with issues that can be addressed through proper planning, maintenance and law enforcement. We want to see improvements that will make our neighbourhood a place where families can live comfortably and feel secure. It feels as though we do not have a Councillor who is actively addressing the problems affecting our area. We hope that after these elections, the new Council will focus on the problems that residents have been raising for years, but which were simply ignored by the present Tshwane Council and the Ward Councillor.”
