Residents of Eden Park, in Alberton, criticised officials from the City of Ekurhuleni’s (CoE) Community Services

Department (Social Development Division) during a heated public participation meeting held at the JD Thomas Hall on January 27.

City officials led a presentation on the Community Services Department’s work and on how community members can collaborate with the city on initiatives aimed at empowering the community.

The meeting took a dramatic turn when the floor was opened for a question-and-answer session. City officials were slammed for an abandoned Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre on Abraham Street in Eden Park.

@albertonrecordThe meeting took a dramatic turn when the floor was opened for a question-and-answer session. City officials were slammed for an abandoned Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre on Abraham Street in Eden Park. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za♬ original sound – Alberton Record

The unused building has been vacant for years. Officials were told parts of the building have been vandalised by criminals, and questions were raised by residents about why it has not been given to local ECD operators to occupy.

“Young children are loitering around the streets, exposed to drugs and alcohol, when they should be in ECDs learning,” said Natalie Abrahams from I Matter (NPO).

“The ECD building on Abraham Street has just been sitting there and not operational for years, despite the fact that there are many ECD operators in this community who could make use of it.

@albertonrecord“Young children are loitering around the streets, exposed to drugs and alcohol, when they should be in ECDs learning,” said Natalie Abrahams from I Matter (NPO). “The ECD building on Abraham Street has just been sitting there and not operational for years, despite the fact that there are many ECD operators in this community who could make use of it. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za

♬ original sound – Alberton Record

“The building has become a victim of vandals because it is unoccupied. The municipality should hand over the building to ECD operators from this community and address compliance issues later. We cannot afford to wait for another five years,” added Abrahams.

ECD operators criticised the city for excessive bureaucracy and adherence to official rules and formalities, which they said made them appear compliant.

They also raised concerns about the city’s tendering system, securing a lease agreement to operate in a facility owned by Ekurhuleni. A resident commented that the only way to cut municipal red tape is to offer a bribe.

In response to some of the issues, city officials said they were not aware of them.

“I was appointed to this position in October of 2025, and some of the issues being raised are new to me,” said Sello Maleka, acting manager for women and children programmes.

“I do, however, undertake to follow them up and raise them with higher-ups in the city to get them resolved.”