Once more residents in the Laudium/Erasmia area are facing poor service delivery from the ANC controlled Tshwane Council and the ANC controlled Rand Water.
Despite taps in the area drying up from Sunday (Jan 25), five days later residents still remain without water, as the authorities drag their feet in resolving the problem. Excuses for the dry taps remain the same as in the past, from low water pressure to pumping problems.
To add to residents’ woes, ANC Cllr Naeem Patel has complained about Cllr Prajay Ramjee, after Prajay, at the request of residents in Laudium Ext 3, assisted in arranging for a water tanker in their area. Patel issued a statement thereafter stating that only Ward Councillors are allowed to engage with the Council for water tanker assistance. Some residents believe that Patel is ‘soured’ because Prajay requested for the Council-owned water tankers to assist and not the private ones doing business with the Council via tenders, connected to certain ANC members. Residents say it is unacceptable that only when the local reservoir was empty did the Tshwane Council issue a statement that they would investigate the cause of the problem, as even at that time they were not aware that there was no water feed from Rand Water.
Noor Ahmed of Taj Street, Laudium, told the Laudium Sun, “The lack of water these past few days has made daily life extremely difficult. We have to even buy water for drinking purposes, which is very costly. For someone who is already struggling financially, this situation has become unbearable and stressful. The situation is made worse as there is a lack of water tankers available on Taj Street. Taj Street is situated in a hilly area, which makes it very difficult to walk down to fetch water from the lower points where the Council is
providing water tankers. Carrying water uphill is exhausting and not practical, especially for families with children, elderly people, or those who are unwell. This has left many residents feeling neglected and forgotten by the authorities. The frustration continues to grow as there is no clear communication or assistance coming from the Council. The question remains as to how long this situation must be accepted, as the lack of proper service delivery has caused serious hardship. The ongoing water crisis has raised concerns about corruption within the Council, as there were reports of certain ANC politicians benefitting financially
through tenders awarded for the supply of water by these water tankers. The impact of this crisis has affected every part of daily life. Without water, nothing can function properly. Cooking, cleaning, bathing, and maintaining a healthy environment have all become nearly impossible. We feel our lives have become completely stuck, as water is essential for survival and dignity. I also hold Cllr Naeem Patel responsible for the decline of service delivery in Laudium. The continued lack of action and accountability has resulted in growing dissatisfaction and there is a strong growing feeling that the ANC leadership together with our ANC Councillor, Naeem Patel has failed the community. The water crisis has exposed serious shortcomings in governance, and the suffering of ordinary people continues while no permanent solution is in sight.”
Mohammed Imran, a resident of Himalaya Street, Laudium, told the Laudium Sun, “It has become a disgrace to live in Laudium as conditions are getting worse every single day. The ongoing problems have made daily life unbearable, as one problem follows another, be it electricity outages, dry taps, crime and grime etc, leaving residents constantly struggling to cope. The situation raises serious concern about how long residents are expected to accept this kind of poor treatment from the City of Tshwane, especially when utilities including Rates & Taxes keep going up, yet we pay regularly. The excuses coming from Cllr Patel and the Council officials continue, giving the impression that the Council is unwilling to address the problem. There is a growing belief that these problems are deliberately mismanaged, with officials knowing exactly how to manipulate the system, so that they could earn overtime money or buy items needed for ’emergency repairs’ without following normal rules, while we as residents have to suffer the consequences.”
Calvin Morgan of Bengal Street, Laudium, told the Laudium Sun, “Having no water for now almost a week, has caused severe suffering. The situation has affected our household deeply, especially the children, who keep asking for water throughout the day. It is painful to be unable to provide something as basic and essential as drinking water for them. Every part of daily life depends on water, from cooking and cleaning to maintaining basic hygiene. We cannot depend on the water trucks as their schedules are not constant and buying water is not an option, as it is extremely expensive and unaffordable. Being unemployed has made the situation even more difficult. The continued lack of access to water has caused emotional and physical strain for me and my family.”
Aquamarine Street, Laudium, resident, Manogaran Paul, told the Laudium Sun, “As a resident of Laudium, the poor service delivery in the area is totally unacceptable. One day it is an electricity problem and the next day it is a water issue and this is ongoing. Residents are never at ease because the problems never end. We may have some comfort for one week, but for the next three weeks we are back to dealing with either water or electricity outages, or some other problem.”
Nazeem Khan, also of Bengal Street, lamented to the Laudium Sun, “The main issue in our area is the constant power and water outages. Residents cannot carry on normally with their daily lives, because there is no proper communication or notification as to when the water supply or electricity will be interrupted. Water just dries up without warning. Power outages are especially common when it rains, which raises serious concerns about the poor maintenance of the infrastructure in this area.”
Vijay Budhoo of Emerald Street, Laudium, told the Laudium Sun, “We’re sick and tired of this poor service delivery from the Tshwane Council. If the lights are not gone off, then there’s no water, then it is the potholes, amongst others. If the Council happens to fix leaking pipes, then they don’t close the trenches. So what the hell? We need service delivery. It’s basic. Basic services that we need, right? I mean, this town has really deteriorated. Look at Laudium… what it looks look like now. Manhole covers are missing, street drains are blocked with weeds, rubbish is dumped all over, there is long grass on the sidewalks. Everything is gone to shambles. It’s ridiculous.”
Mohammed Bhamjee, a resident of Violet Street, Laudium, told the Laudium Sun, “Residents are really struggling as taps are drying up way too often and electricity outages are becoming common. Our daily lives have become extremely difficult and this ongoing situation of poor, pathetic service delivery has left the community exhausted and frustrated.”
