Despite Laudium/Erasmia residents continuing to complain about poor service delivery in the area, from the ANC-led Tshwane Council, officials and politicians of the Council, do not seem to be interested in their complaints, as many of the complaints remain ignored for months or even years.
One of the many ongoing complaints received by the Laudium Sun, is the missing manhole cover on Skurweberg Street, Erasmia, which residents say has been missing for several months now. Residents claim that despite reporting the matter to both the Council and Ward Councillor Naceem Patel’s office, the cover has still not been replaced, leaving residents no choice but to try closing the top part of the hole with tree branches or even cardboard or hardboard, just to avoid someone falling into the hole and injuring themselves.
Pierre De-Wet of Skurweberg Street told the Laudium Sun, “This is really a worrying matter as the manhole drain cover has been missing for months on our street and no one from the Council seems to be interested in replacing it. We reported the incident a long time ago, but it has still not been resolved. The situation has now reached a point where residents have to take matters into their own hands just to prevent any harm from occurring. We are left with no other option but to cover the open drain with hardboard and branches so as to avoid someone from accidentally falling into it, especially children who play in the area and elderly people who walk along the street on a daily basis. The condition of the open manhole drain poses a serious safety hazard and it is very disturbing to see that such an important issue is being ignored. The risk is always there, particularly at night or during rainy weather when the drain becomes even more difficult to notice. This is not something that should be taken lightly, as it can lead to serious injuries or even a tragic death if not addressed urgently. As residents, we are paying our Rates & Taxes, yet we are not receiving the basic services that we deserve. It is frustrating and disappointing to experience this level of poor service delivery and neglect from the Tshwane Council, which is responsible for maintaining infrastructure in our area. We expect better service delivery and accountability from the relevant authorities. It is also concerning how quickly attention is given to communities during election periods, with politicians coming forward seeking support, but when it comes to delivering services and addressing ongoing problems, there is a clear lack of urgency and commitment. This ongoing issue reflects poorly on service delivery and raises serious concerns about the priorities of those in charge, including the relevant politicians. The Council must take immediate action to replace the missing drain cover before a disaster occurs. The safety of residents should be treated as a priority, and no one should have to live in fear of such preventable hazards in their own neighbourhood.”
Muthaya Govinda Swami, also of Skurweberg Street, told the Laudium Sun, “The missing manhole drain covers, not only on our street but also on other streets, are a serious issue, but the Council does not seem to be interested in wanting to replace these covers, despite the danger this poses to residents. The manhole is deep and if anyone accidentally falls into it, imagine what disaster could happen. This situation is very dangerous for everyone living in the area, especially children who play outside and those people who walk along the street on a daily basis. The open drain remains exposed without any proper protection, creating a constant risk for both pedestrians and vehicles passing nearby. At any moment, someone could slip or fall into it, particularly during the night or when visibility is poor. The fear of an accident happening is always present and it is becoming increasingly difficult for residents to feel safe in their own environment. Repeated complaints have been made to the relevant authorities regarding this matter, yet no action has been taken to resolve the issue. The continued neglect of such an important infrastructure issue raises concerns about how long residents must wait before seeing any improvements in service delivery.”
Soraya Carrim, another resident of Skurweberg Street, told the Laudium Sun, “The responsibility lies with the relevant authorities to ensure that public spaces are safe and properly maintained. A missing drain cover is not something that should be ignored, especially for months, as it can lead to severe injuries or even a fatal incident if left unattended. Immediate intervention is necessary to replace the drain cover and secure the area without further delay.”