Despite several posts circulating on social media platforms in the recent past, stating that the ANC/ActionSA led Tshwane Council, has attended to faulty streetlights, water leaks and potholes in the Laudium/Erasmia area, residents are not in agreement and remain aggrieved concerning service delivery in the area.
Many residents have complained to the Laudium Sun, that the Tshwane Council has not performed in attending to the various problems in the area and that the posts were misleading the community. This follows complaints of many streetlights in the area still not working, including in the area around 2nd Ave and Cuprene Str, certain streets in Erasmia and on the Military Road (as reported in our previous edition ). Also, complaints of water leaks have been reported in the recent past in the Laudium Sun, despite top ANC politicians in the Tshwane Council pledging to give immediate attention to such leaks, more so in light of the ongoing water crisis in the area. Another ongoing complaint is the number of potholes in the area, which many residents say is a danger to both motorists and pedestrians. One of the areas, which is being complained about is the parking lot in the Laudium CBD on 4th Ave, opposite the Laudium Civic Centre. The area which is used by shoppers, businesses, pedestrians and taxis, is full of potholes on the northern side of the parking lot. This, despite some of the taxi drivers out of their own initiative closing some of the potholes, to minimise damage to their vehicles, with the potholes found soon popping up again. Many of the taxi drivers claim that they have reported the poor state of the parking lot at the nearby offices of the Council and the Councillor, but without any positive response. Samuel Dlamini (53), a taxi driver from Itireleng , who has been working from the Laudium Taxi Rank in the CBD for over 25years, explained to the Laudium Sun how the potholes were damaging his taxi and costing him money. “Everyday, I risk damaging the tyres and suspension of my vehicle. This is after I have already spent a lot on repairs. Driving here in this parking lot has become a nightmare. I can’t even see the profit I am supposed to be making because I have to fix my tyres every now and then”, Samuel exclaimed. Madula Hendrick Seokotsa (47), a taxi driver from Atteridgeville, who also works from the CBD depot, stated the same concerns. “These potholes are ruining my taxi. It’s not just about the repairs, it’s about my income. If my taxi is in the repair shop, I can’t make money to support my family. I am a full time driver, I can’t afford to give up on my job because of the potholes”.
When the Laudium Sun asked if he had reported the matter to the Council, Madula said that he heard that some of his colleagues had reported it, adding, “The Council officials are often seen driving in the parking lot as their offices are nearby, so surely they can also see the place needs repairs, why can’t they also report it. They should be aware of the matter.” For pedestrians, the potholes are also a problem. Lucas Mkwevane (48), from Lotus Gardens, who has been working in the CBD, near the taxi rank for over 20 years, said he sees the daily struggles of both vehicles and pedestrians. He told the Laudium Sun that people walking in the area, face the risk of tripping and falling, especially the elderly and children, adding, “It is not safe for anyone to walk here by this side of the parking lot, the place is full of holes”.
In addition to the potholes in the parking lot on 4th Avenue, residents have raised concerns about another forming pothole on the corner of Jewel Street and 13th Avenue , which oses similar challenges. This pothole is located on a busy stretch of the street, also prone to causing potential damage to vehicles and creating dangerous conditions for both drivers and pedestrians. Resident and motorist, Kishore Bhana told the Laudium Sun, “We are forced to swerve to avoid the pothole, which increases the risk of accidents. It seems like the streets here are falling apart and were re-tarred by amateurs, who got a tender without any experience, hence the potholes surfacing.” The Laudium Sun called Cllr Patel’s assistant Paul Bennet for a comment on the potholes, after finding their offices closed, who said, “No one has reported the matter, so we have not been informed. Residents need to report such issues so the issues can be addressed.” Paul did not respond as to whether his office reports to the relevant Council offices, any matter in the area, that they on their own (without a complaint from the public) see needs attention and whether he did not see the poor state of the parking lot, considering that it was across from his offices.
