The Concerned Community Forum (CCF) confirms that it submitted its final input to the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) on July 21, 2025, providing clarity and confirmation on the position of the Gerhardsville community regarding the current demarcation review process.
This additional submission was made following an agreement with the MDB, as the Gerhardsville community had not been consulted prior to the initial inputs being submitted during Draft Proposal 1. This lack of consultation led to delays in the community’s ability to make an informed decision.
After the CCF had fully engaged with and consulted, Gerhardsville residents have officially confirmed their wish to remain within Ward 61. The CCF emphasized that this decision reflects the community’s interest in maintaining service delivery alignment, governance stability, and spatial integration with the rest of Ward 61.
MDB RESPONSE & NEXT STEPS
The MDB has acknowledged receipt of the CCF’s updated input and confirmed that the matter will be considered during the Relook Phase. The Board is currently finalizing Draft Set 2, which will present revised ward proposals. If further objections arise from Draft Set 2,
the MDB will provide an opportunity for additional submissions to ensure full compliance with public participation requirements under the Municipal Demarcation Act.
OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTABILITY
To date, the CCF has not been able to secure a date and time for a public debate with Councillor Naeem Patel, despite repeated requests. The Forum maintains that an open debate is essential to ensure transparency and accountability, allowing residents to fully understand the implications of proposed boundary changes.
CCF COMMITMENT
The CCF reiterates its commitment to advocating for fair, community-driven outcomes in line with Section 24 of the Municipal Demarcation Act, which prioritizes community of interest, service delivery efficiency, and governance stability.
Residents are encouraged to remain engaged and prepared to participate in the next phase of the process once Draft Set 2 is released. The community participation will be critical in shaping the final ward boundaries.
Concerned Community Forum escalates safety & service delivery crisis to City of Tshwane
In response to the Laudium Sun’s coverage on Friday, July 18. 2025, the Concerned Community Forum (CCF) has taken decisive steps to escalate two critical infrastructure and safety crises that have been neglected for months—some even years—despite numerous complaints to the City of Tshwane.
ISSUE 1: OPEN MANHOLE & DARK STREETS IN ERASMIA (VAN DYK STREET)
For over six months, residents of Van Dyk Street, Erasmia have lived with a gaping, uncovered stormwater manhole, posing a life-threatening hazard in a residential zone where children frequently walk and play. To make matters worse, streetlights along the entire street have been non-functional for months, plunging the area into total darkness and creating conditions ripe for serious accidents and escalating crime.
CCF Actions:
On 18 July 2025, the CCF wrote to MMC for Roads & Transport, Cllr Tlangi Mogale, and MMC for Community Safety, Mr H. Coetzee, demanding:
- Immediate replacement of the missing manhole cover (within 5 working days).
- Full restoration of all non-functional streetlights. A formal reference number and an
action plan with timelines by 23 July 2025 - Despite this urgent letter, no acknowledgement or feedback has been received to date. The CCF has sent another letter and will escalate this further, should we not get a response. “Every day that passes without action increases the likelihood of a preventable tragedy. We cannot accept silence from officials when lives are at risk,” said Moosa Hassim from the CCF.
ISSUE 2: YEARS OF DARKNESS IN LAUDIUM EXTENSION 3 – SYSTEM FAILURE EXPOSED
The CCF also highlighted a long-standing crisis in Laudium Extension 3, where non functional streetlights have left residents in complete darkness for years, despite numerous logged complaints and active reference numbers.
Investigations reveal a shocking system failure in the City’s e-Tshwane platform:
- When residents report streetlight faults in Extension 3, the system incorrectly assigns the location to Ward 72 (Region 3) instead of Ward 61 (Region 4).
- This misrouting has likely resulted in zero action, explaining why complaints remain unresolved for years.
CCF Actions:
- Demanding urgent correction of the e Tshwane system anomaly
- Calling for confirmation of accountability: Which department is responsible for maintenance in Extension 3?
- Requesting a full progress report on all logged complaints
- Immediate deployment of resources to restore all streetlights in Extension 3 without delay
“Extension 3 is in darkness, crime is rampant, and the City cannot hide behind a system error any longer. This is not just an IT glitch—it’s a governance and accountability failure,” said Moosa Hassim of the CCF.
WHO HAS BEEN COPIED & CCF’S POSITION ON PARTNERSHIP
Both letters have been copied to the Ward 61 Councillor and the three PR Councillors, as well as the full Mayoral Committee, including the Executive Mayor and City Manager. The CCF emphasizes that it is open to working collaboratively with all Council representatives, regardless of political affiliation, to resolve these urgent service delivery failures in the interest of community safety and municipal accountability.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Both crises reflect serious service delivery failures that directly endanger lives. Residents of Ward 61 are not asking for luxuries—they are demanding basic safety measures, which are a constitutional obligation of the City.
On Monday, 21 July 2025, Lushika Mooloo from the CCF was invited to join the ActionSA caucus during their Constituency Monday visit to Ward 61. The meeting focused on the harrowing frustrations faced by residents regarding ongoing service delivery failures and the lack of priority for urgent interventions in certain high-risk areas of the ward.
Issues raised included:
- Persistent infrastructure failures.
- Escalating crime linked to poor lighting and neglected maintenance.
- Failure to prioritize repairs and enforcement in vulnerable areas.
ActionSA Councillors present committed to:
Engaging the relevant MMCs and municipal departments.
Providing feedback to the community on progress made “Residents of Ward 61 have been extremely patient, but that patience has run out. Our communities cannot continue to suffer because of systemic neglect and political delays. We welcome any Councillors, regardless of party, who are committed to fixing these problems,” said Lushika.
If residents would like to join the CCF group, contact them on: Email: concernedcommunityforum4@gmail.com WhatsApp: 066 390 0404.