Alberton councillors respond as residents slam collapse of basic services

Residents across Alberton are sounding the alarm over the worsening state of basic services in the area, citing a string of ongoing issues including sewage spills, failing infrastructure, uncut grass, illegal dumping, and frequent power outages.

The outcry has prompted the Alberton Record to send media enquiries to ward councillors, calling for accountability and clarity on their efforts to address these concerns.

Complaints have emerged from nearly every corner of Alberton, with citizens voicing growing disillusionment and anger over what many are calling a ‘systematic breakdown’ in local governance.

Questions asked by the Alberton Record:

• What do you consider to be your primary responsibilities as ward councillors in addressing service delivery challenges?

• How do you ensure that community issues are addressed in a timely and effective manner?

• Now that the first quarter of the year has passed, what development or improvements can you point to within your respective wards?

• What measures have you taken to build and maintain a mutually respectful and transparent relationship with your constituents?

• Have any public meetings been held this year? If so, what key issues were discussed, and what progress has been made as a result?

Responses from the councillors:

In response, councillors from wards 37, 38, 94, and 106 provided comments, each shedding light on the difficulties they face as well as the steps they claim to be taking.

• Councillor Ivan Naidoo of Ward 37: “Service delivery is non-existent.”

Naidoo painted a bleak picture of municipal dysfunction, blaming ongoing failures on operational setbacks including equipment shortages, a lack of fleet vehicles, and poor departmental coordination.

While some successes were noted such as road resurfacing in Albermarle and regular waste collection the councillor was candid in their assessment.

“Overall, service delivery is non-existent in the ward and city,” Naidoo said, directly attributing the crisis to the city’s coalition leadership under the ANC, EFF and ASA.

His efforts to maintain communication with residents include regular updates on WhatsApp groups and public meetings, the most recent of which focused on municipal valuations and the Integrated Development Plan (IDP).

• Councillor Thavha Maifala-Masebe of Ward 38: “Streetlights and infrastructure remain a concern.”

The councillor acknowledged ongoing frustrations but highlighted the resurfacing of Moorat Street in Brackendowns Ext. 5 as a key improvement.

While admitting the persistent challenges with streetlight maintenance and service backlogs, the councillor outlined a proactive approach.

“Issues are escalated through appropriate platforms, including oversight committees and meetings with MMCs. However, the lack of resources remains a serious barrier,” Maifala-Masebe expressed.

He also pointed to a dedicated WhatsApp channel and frequent CPF event attendance as part of ongoing efforts to foster community engagement.

Public meetings are held monthly, with discussions ranging from infrastructure upgrades to departmental inefficiencies.

• Councillor Samantha Nair of Ward 94: “Twenty-three public meetings, poor turnout.”

Ward 94’s councillor claimed active engagement with constituents, stating that 23 public meetings had been held since the beginning of the year. However, attendance has been low, except for a recent property valuation meeting that drew 100 participants.

“As councillors, we take the concerns of residents to the administration. It’s the departments that are responsible for service delivery,” Nair said, underscoring the structural division between political oversight and execution.

Notable developments in this ward are the ongoing construction of a concrete security wall around the Eiger Sub Station and the commencement of the new Mayberry Park School project.

• Councillor Tim Denny of Ward 106: “My initiatives are hampered by lack of funds.”

Denny expressed frank frustration, saying most efforts to address local issues are thwarted by municipal financial constraints.

“The Ekurhuleni municipality, run by an ANC/EFF coalition, openly says they have no funds available for any of the above complaints,” he remarked.

Despite these constraints, the councillor reported having already held two public meetings this year and maintains contact with residents through seven active WhatsApp groups. Community outreach also includes involvement in local charities such as Stepping Stones Hospice and support for homelessness initiatives.

Public frustration mounting

Despite these efforts, residents across Alberton say their lived reality paints a far more dire picture.

Many allege their complaints go unresolved for months, if not ignored altogether.

“We’re paying rates and taxes, but nothing is working. Potholes are everywhere, the power keeps going out, and the grass is waist-high in some areas,” said one resident of Brackenhurst.

Local advocacy groups are urging residents to attend IDP consultations and provide input on tariff increases and proposed budget allocations.

Yet, given the low turnout at recent meetings, it remains uncertain whether public engagement will be sufficient to prompt change.

A call for accountability

With the first quarter of 2025 now behind them, Alberton’s councillors face increasing pressure to show tangible improvements and transparent leadership.

While each ward faces its own unique challenges, the overarching theme remains the same: residents want to see action, not just promises.

As the community’s patience wears thin, the coming months will be critical in determining whether local leaders can rise to the occasion or continue to lose the trust of the people they were elected to serve.

Residents can participate in the ongoing IDP and budget consultations via the official municipal portal or by contacting their respective councillors directly.