UPDATE: Service delivery progress made in Ward 94, but delays persist

Following mounting concerns over deteriorating infrastructure and persistent service delivery failures in Ward 94, Clr Samantha Nair has provided an update on the City of Ekurhuleni’s (CoE) current efforts.

While some progress is being made, residents are cautioned that delays remain across several departments.

Sewerage blockages being attended to

The Sewer Department is currently on-site, attending to the ongoing sewer issues affecting areas such as Alrode and Albertsdal.

According to Nair, the CoE deployed two sewer trucks – one dedicated to Alberton and another to Thokoza.

“These teams are responding, but the nature of the blockages means it often takes a couple of days to resolve each case,” said Nair.

Despite this, residents have raised concerns that some areas are being visited multiple times for the same issue, due to inadequate or temporary fixes.

Pothole repairs underway

Pothole repairs have begun in parts of the ward. However, delays remain due to resource constraints.

The Alberton Roads Department is responsible for servicing Alberton, Thokoza, Eden Park, and Palm Ridge, a vast area with increasing repair demands.

“We acknowledge the start of repairs, but the backlog remains extensive. Roads like Eekhoring Street, which were prepared for resurfacing months ago, still need urgent attention,” she said.

Tree maintenance hampered by equipment shortages

Tree trimming efforts are progressing slowly, largely due to equipment issues.

The cherry picker vehicle required for trimming tall trees remains in the workshop, limiting the department’s ability to attend to overgrown areas effectively.

Cut branches also face removal delays, as the CoE has no dedicated truck available to clear debris.

Streetlight repairs underway

Streetlight repairs are actively being carried out across Ward 94, with a number of previously non-functional lights now restored.

However, these efforts are being severely undermined by ongoing vandalism.

“The department is doing what it can, but we’re seeing a worrying trend where lights are being deliberately damaged shortly after repairs,” said Nair.

Call for sustained, long-term solutions

While recent interventions are a sign of movement from the city, Nair warns that the CoE falls short of a lasting solution.

She continues to urge the executive leadership of Ekurhuleni to implement a comprehensive action plan and conduct a full investigation into systemic failures in service delivery.

“The residents of Ward 94 are tired of patchwork solutions. We need a sustained, transparent, and accountable plan from the city, not just emergency responses,” she added.

As community frustration remains high, residents are encouraged to continue logging issues through the city’s integrated management system (IMS), while also reporting any incidents of infrastructure vandalism.