Manhole drain cover missing for months outside Mosque…residents drained complaining about ‘unholy’ service delivery

Despite numerous complaints by local residents concerning poor service delivery by the ANC-led Tshwane Council, many of these complaints have been met with deaf ears by the relevant politicians and Council officials.

Residents say that many of their complaints are ignored, with some complaints still not attended to for months and at times even years.

In one of the ongoing complaints, residents in the Tangerine Street area, in the Laudium CBD, complained to the Laudium Sun, about a missing manhole drain cover on the pavement, just outside the PMT Mosque, on Tangerine Street. The residents, many of whom are working in the CBD, say that the cover has been missing for months and despite many calls, their complaints have been ignored by the Council and Councillor Patel’s office, which is at the Civic Centre across from the open manhole. The area around the open manhole is frequented by residents working in the CBD, who use the pathway to attend prayers at the Mosque.

Shoaib George, who works in the CBD, told the Laudium Sun, “The drain cover which has been missing for months in front of the PMT Mosque is really an indictment for the Council and the Councillor, as their offices are just opposite the Mosque. How can they ignore such a visible issue when the Council office is just next to it? This is extremely frustrating for residents because it raises serious concerns about what we can expect from our leaders. If they can avoid or overlook a problem right under their noses, then what hope is there for the rest of the community? Many people come to pray at the Mosque and a lot of them walk past this area every day. If someone were to fall into the open manhole drain, who would be held responsible? The safety of residents and visitors should be a priority and ignoring this hazard shows a complete lack of accountability. Residents need a leader who is actively working for the community, not someone who focuses on online activity, while urgent problems remain unresolved. We have had enough of empty promises and poor service delivery. It is time for the Council to take solid action and prioritize the safety and well-being of the residents of Ward 61. Basic infrastructure, like drain covers and street safety are a fundamental right and neglecting these duties is unacceptable. It is important for the community to take note as to who from our leadership is genuinely concerned for the community and who is not. Leadership should be measured by action and accountability, not appearances or social media presence. People are tired of waiting for problems to be solved and want to see tangible results from their elected officials. The missing drain cover is more than a minor inconvenience; it is a symbol of neglect and poor management. It affects not only the safety of pedestrians but also the trust that residents place in their leaders. We need leaders who take responsibility for their duties, respond to complaints promptly and ensure that basic services are delivered effectively. It is time for the residents of Laudium to demand accountability and action. If the Councillor cannot address such a simple yet critical issue right next to his office, it raises serious questions about the governance and priorities of the entire Ward 61 administration. Residents are united in their call for strong leadership with action, to resolve this problem.”

Mohammed Riyaz of Jewel Street told the Laudium Sun, “The politicians are busy filling up their own pockets while residents like us are struggling just to receive our basic rights. We pay rates and taxes, yet when we look at the condition of Laudium, it is clear that service delivery is failing. Streets are in poor condition, water leaks continue, manhole covers are missing and other essential services are either delayed or completely ignored. It is frustrating to see that despite contributing to the system, our community suffers every day due to poor governance and lack of accountability. This situation shows that the leadership in our area is more focused on personal gain, than on serving the people. Residents cannot continue to remain silent while basic necessities are neglected. We need to be united and demand our rights so that we can receive proper service delivery. Only through collective action and awareness, can we ensure that politicians take our concerns seriously and provide the quality of service that residents deserve. It is time for leaders to prioritize the community, act responsibly and restore the trust of the people who rely on them.”

Shenaz Khan who lives nearby, told the Laudium Sun, “We are fed up of constantly complaining about our issues to the Council. Despite paying our bills, Rates & Taxes, we still do not receive proper service delivery. It is frustrating to see that our concerns are ignored and problems that could be resolved quickly remain unresolved for weeks or even months. Residents expect basic services such as water supply, street maintenance and proper sanitation to be handled efficiently, but this is not happening. We really need answers from the Council office about why our community continues to suffer while we fulfill all our obligations as citizens. It is unfair that residents are left to struggle with issues that should be a priority for the Council. Simple problems, like broken drains or street repairs, should be addressed immediately, yet they remain neglected. The lack of accountability and proper service delivery makes residents lose trust in the leadership. People are frustrated and feel helpless when basic rights and needs are not being met. We are calling on the Council to take responsibility, respond to complaints and ensure that the community receives the services we pay for and deserve.”