Daryl Allais vows to tackle service delivery issues in Ward 19
Allais outlines plans to address water leaks, electricity outages, potholes and neglected public spaces across Ward 19.
Following the local government elections, Ward 19 residents have a new councillor, Clr Daryl Allais.
Allais, who was elected on November 4, emphasised that addressing longstanding service delivery issues and improving communication between residents and the municipality will be among his priorities.
Allais said he felt honoured and humbled by the trust residents had placed in him, adding that his appointment came with a responsibility to represent the community in council.
Having lived and worked alongside Edenvale residents, he said he understood many of the frustrations the community experiences.
“My immediate reaction was a mix of immense gratitude and a strong sense of urgency to get to work.
“After months of campaigning, speaking to business owners and listening to families across the ward, my biggest takeaway is that residents are not asking for miracles; they simply want basic service delivery, honest communication and a councillor who shows up when things go wrong,” said Allais.
His immediate priority is to establish a structured system to monitor and escalate unresolved service delivery complaints, particularly those relating to water leaks, electricity outages and stormwater drainage.
He also plans to conduct a ward-wide audit of infrastructure problem areas and establish a representative ward committee to help identify issues across the ward.
Ageing water and electrical infrastructure, deteriorating road surfaces and neglected public open spaces are among the longstanding concerns he intends to address.
Allais plans to compile a street-by-street database of recurring problems, supported by existing municipal reference numbers, and escalate these matters to the relevant municipal departments and heads of department.
He also intends to become actively involved in the city’s Integrated Development Plan budget process to advocate for appropriate capital investment and maintenance in Ward 19.
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Identifying ageing infrastructure, urban decay and safety as three of the ward’s biggest challenges, Allais said he would push for preventative infrastructure maintenance rather than relying on reactive repairs.
He intends to work with the Edenvale Customer Care Centre and community groups to address potholes, faulty streetlights and overgrown verges.
Speaking on safety and by-law enforcement, he plans to engage with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department, the SAPS and the Edenvale Community Policing Forums.
However, he acknowledged that municipal red tape, budget constraints and delays within city departments could present significant obstacles.
He noted that ward councillors do not have executive authority or a personal budget to carry out repairs themselves.
Instead, he intends to use municipal oversight structures, maintain working relationships with officials and escalate persistent service delivery failures through council committees.
Improving communication with residents is another key part of his approach.
Allais plans to hold regular public ward meetings and pop-up gazebos, alongside maintaining dedicated WhatsApp and Facebook communication channels.
He said residents who log service delivery complaints through the My CoE App or municipal call centre can send him their reference numbers for tracking and follow-up.
He committed to keeping residents informed about the progress of reported problems, including when municipal departments take longer than expected to respond.
Working with regional depot managers responsible for water, energy, roads and waste management at the Edenvale depot will also form part of his approach to addressing service delivery concerns.
Beyond municipal structures, Allais hopes to strengthen partnerships with residents’ associations, local businesses and community volunteer initiatives to support neighbourhood upkeep.
Allais said: “Edenvale has always been defined by its incredible community spirit – people here genuinely care about their town and look out for one another.
“I hope that we harness that spirit, bridge the gap between residents and local government, and build a Ward 19 that is resilient, well-maintained and a place where families and businesses are proud to invest their future.”
Looking ahead to his five-year term, he wants to see Ward 19 become a clean, safe, well-maintained residential area, with fewer recurring infrastructure failures, improved public spaces, and more reliable municipal services.
“I want to see a measurable reduction in repeat infrastructure failures, revitalised parks and public spaces, and stronger partnerships between the municipality, local businesses and community forums.
“By the end of my term, I want residents to feel that their rates are translating into visible upkeep and reliable services,” said Allais.
He said he hoped to strengthen the relationship between residents and local government while ensuring the community’s concerns received attention.
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Ward 19 residents can contact Allais on 063 950 9884 via telephone or WhatsApp.
Although his official City of Ekurhuleni email address has not yet been issued, Allais said it will be available on the city’s website once it has been set up.
