Following the exposé by the Laudium Sun, on local Ward Councillor Naeem Patel and his Ward Committee members, ‘hiding’ from the community the proposed changes to the boundaries of Ward 61, which would result in Laudium/Erasmia being merged with two squatter camps, a vast number of residents have expressed outrage.
Residents are highly upset as Cllr Patel did not even have the courtesy of calling a public meeting to explain to the local community, the consequences of such boundary changes and did not bother to get their input on the matter. In our May 16 edition, the Laudium Sun reported that Patel and his ANC comrades proposed the boundary changes or supported the planned changes, in order to secure votes for Patel in the next local government elections, expected to be in 2026, as it was evident that Patel was losing support in his Ward and the chances were great that he would not come back as the Ward Councillor in the next election. Patel is on record stating that he was not worried about the ‘Indian’ vote as he as an ANC candidate, would get 3000 votes from the new voting station in Mooiplaats under which the nearby squatter camp of ‘Spruit’ falls and that the Gerhardsville area, which had very little support for the ANC during the last election, would no longer be in his ward. Like the nearby Iireleng informal settlement, which only has one voting station, with about 30,000 residents living there, the Spruit/Mooiplaats area houses about 20, 000 residents and their one voting station will now fall under Ward 61 in the new proposal. Both squatter camps have mostly illegal foreigners living there, thus many of them are not registered to vote, but will still have the right to demand service delivery in the area.
Moosa Hassim, a resident and member of the newly establish Concerned Community Forum (CCF), told the Laudium Sun, “We were never consulted about this proposed demarcation for Ward 61 and only learnt about it through the Laudium Sun. Most residents don’t even know what ward demarcation means, let alone how it will affect their daily lives. My understanding was that ward demarcation is the redrawing of boundaries within Municipalities to ensure fair representation and improve service delivery, but now with a second squatter camp being proposed to join our Ward, I do not see this as being fair for the residents living in Laudium and Erasmia.”
Prominent Erasmia resident and a member of the CCF, Ismail Essa (Smiley) told the Laudium Sun, “This isn’t just a map issue, it’s about the future of our communities, our homes, and our rights. We are going to be very much at a disadvantage should the proposed demarcation go through, for Ward 61. As it is, electricity supply is unreliable,
roads are deteriorating there are constant water supply problems, access to local clinics and schools is stretched thin. Now they want to add another informal settlement into our Ward, without first addressing these existing challenges.”
‘Concerned Community Forum’ speaks on ward demarcation
Meanwhile, Lushika Mooloo from the ‘Concerned Community Forum’ has issued a statement concerning the proposed boundary changes…
A wave of frustration is rising among residents of Ward 61 following news of a proposed ward demarcation that could dramatically reshape the makeup of the community—without any prior consultation from local leadership.
The proposal, reportedly submitted to the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB), seeks to exclude Gerhardsville, a long-established formal settlement, and incorporate Mooiplaas, an informal settlement, into Ward 61. This move has sparked concern among residents who feel blind sighted by a process that is meant to be transparent and participatory.
We have received many complaints from residents of Ward 61 who argued that the lack of consultation violates their rights as community stakeholders.
Ward 61 is already under strain. Originally designed to support around 10,000 residents, the area now houses over 65,000 people—including the Itireleng informal settlement, home to more than 30,000 residents. Despite this dramatic population growth, infrastructure upgrades and service delivery have remained stagnant. Ward 61 in Tshwane, encompassing areas such as Laudium, Claudius, Erasmia, Christoburg, Itireleng and Gerhardsville, is grappling with several infrastructure challenges that significantly impact residents’ quality of life (nismedia.co.za).
The current state of Ward 61:
Electricity Supply and Infrastructure Decay – Residents have experienced prolonged power outages, sometimes lasting as long as seven days. These issues are exacerbated by decaying infrastructure and illegal electricity connections. Due to the already strained budget, these calamities lead to a long waiting for the Council teams to attend to these problems. The strain on the electricity grid is further intensified by the expansion of informal settlements and new developments, leading to frequent outages in various areas.
Water and Sanitation issues – The Municipality faces a high non-revenue water rate of 34.4%, attributed to infrastructure challenges, illegal connections, and inadequate maintenance. Informal settlements lack access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities, relying on water tankers and chemical toilets, which are financially unsustainable for the city.
Road Infrastructure and Accessibility – Poor road conditions, including potholes and un-maintained streets and water leaks, not being attended to for prolonged periods of time contribute to the sinkholes.
Illegal Structures and Land invasions – The surge in informal settlements, with a 174% increase between 2018 and 2024, has led to unauthorized constructions and land invasions. These developments strain municipal resources and complicate urban planning efforts.
Community Safety and Public lighting – Inadequate street lighting contributes to safety concerns, with residents reporting non functional lights and increased crime rates. The lack of maintenance and delayed repairs
exacerbate these issues.
Neglect of Township projects – Infrastructure projects in townships are often the first to be abandoned during financial crises, leading to incomplete developments and deteriorating living conditions. This neglect underscores systemic inequalities in service delivery.
A Controversial Trade-Off: The inclusion of Mooiplaas would further increase the population of the Ward—without a clear strategy for upgrading water, sanitation, roads, and public services. At the same time, the exclusion of Gerhardsville would remove a formally established, tax paying community from the Ward’s representation and budgeting. Incorporating Mooiplaas into Ward 61 could inadvertently link a densely populated informal area with a formally serviced suburb (Erasmia), increasing the risk of illegal utility connections due to infrastructural gaps, enforcement challenges, and shifting political dynamics.
We believe that this could lead to:
· Weaker community representation
· Unfair resource allocation
· Reduced investment in formal areas
· Increased strain on already inadequate infrastructure
· On behalf of the residents of Ward 61, the ‘Concerned Community Forum’ is calling for
the immediate suspension of the demarcation proposal until a full Ward 61 residents consultation process is conducted by the relevant role-players. The residents are also
demanding a clear infrastructure development plan that includes both formal and informal areas.
For now, the residents of Ward 61 are waiting for answers—and demanding that their voices be heard.
Submitted by: Lushika Mooloo on behalf of the ‘Concerned Community Forum.’
What is Ward Demarcation?
Ward demarcation is the process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral Wards within a Municipality.
Wards are the geographic areas into which a municipality is divided, and each ward elects a Ward Councillor to represent the community in local government.
This process is done by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) in South Africa, which is an independent authority responsible for ensuring fair and effective local representation.
Why is Ward Demarcation Done?
Ward boundaries are reviewed and adjusted to:
· Ensure fair representation: Every Ward should have a relatively equal number of voters or residents so that each person’s vote carries similar weight.
· Reflect population growth or movement: If some areas grow rapidly or new settlements develop, the boundaries may need to be changed.
· Improve service delivery and planning: Changes can be made to align communities better with infrastructure and municipal planning needs.
How Should Ward Demarcation Be Done?
According to law, the demarcation process must:
· Be fair and transparent
· Include public consultation – residents must be informed and allowed to comment
· Consider factors like:
· Community interests
· Geographic features
· Existing infrastructure
· Capacity for service delivery
· The need for cohesive, integrated communities
Why It Matters to You?
Ward demarcation affects:
· Who represents you in Council
· How Municipal resources are allocated
· Service delivery to your area
· The identity and priorities of your local community
If done without proper consultation or consideration, it can lead to:
· Overburdened infrastructure
· Unequal service delivery
· Weakened community voice
· Social and economic imbalances
-Submitted by Cllr Prajay Ramjee