The residents of Setswetla informal settlement in Alexandra say they are living in a state of neglect.
They say Florence Mophosho Road, and other roads within the settlement, is crumbling under sewage and erosion, while basic services remain far out of reach.

Electricity, and road infrastructure have become daily battles. Most households rely on dangerous, informal connections because they have no electricity meters. One of the transformers supplying power has already been damaged, reportedly by rampant illegal connections.

Read more: Setswetla’s problems go beyond decaying roads

Economic Freedom Fighters’ Ward 109 councillor Patricia Mabidilala said residents are desperate for proper electrification. “If they give them electricity, they will pay for it. I do not doubt.”

Ward committee chairperson Samuel Seoka also added that City Power’s earlier meter rollout was incomplete, and this has left many households unmetered, while others were expected to pay. The expansion of the settlement has made previous meter rollout initiatives ineffective. “Although thousands of meters were installed, many have since been bypassed or vandalised, while unauthorised connections continue to increase as the settlement grows,” said utility spokesperson Isaac Mangena.

Also read: Community committee members say Setswetla has no streets and no councillor

Most roads, including the outline Florence Mophosho Road, Setswetla Road, and some parts of Violet Crescent, have deteriorated over time due wastewater constantly running on the surface. Florence Mophosho Road is worse due to human activity, at least according to Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA).

JRA’s head of regional operations Khaya Gqibitole said the agency has conducted road repairs in the area in the past, and that unlawful human activities have worsened the decay. “Encroachments on the road reserve, illegal sewer connections into the storm water system, illegal carwashes, and the perpetual flow of grey water due to illegal discharge into the road reserve have all contributed to the road degradation.”

He added that repairs cannot be undertaken while water continuously flows across the road surface. A long-term solution, he said, requires co-ordinated intervention from multiple agencies, including Johannesburg Water, human settlements, developmental planning, and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department.

Mabidilala said leaders have urged residents to stop activities that cause water to run onto the road. While it has become better, in some areas the problem persists.

Residents believe most of these issues could be solved if councillor Lori Coogan intervened. They accuse her of neglecting the settlement. Coogan, however, has rejected claims of deliberate neglect, insisting she is willing to work with all residents in her ward.

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