“Disillusioned rates and taxpayer” writes by email:
For a year and a half we have requested the municipality to repair the potholes in Loerie Lane, Anzac, and also put a speed hump in place.
As I use a walker, I dare hardly walk in the street.
The community tried to patch up the potholes with cement which actually deteriorated the situation, as some drivers now think they can speed (I must, however, thank the drivers who show respect).
In addition, the cement is coming off the patches, and our cars and houses are full of cement dust.
The stones are coming loose, and I have already had to replace the rubbers on my walker because they were damaged by the stones.
Secondly, at the electricity pole across from our home, the shack dwellers from Plastic City have connected illegal cables.
We have also reported this to the municipality numerous times, but it is still in place.
Our cables have been damaged, and when the municipality came to repair it, they connected 380 volts instead of 220.
All our electrical appliances have burnt out twice.
We tried to claim from the municipality, but the first claim was rejected outright.
For the second claim, we have been waiting three months.
With the last burn-out we only had money to replace our fridge.
We have also bought special plugs, which were costly, to help prevent this from happening again.
The municipality recently sent out an inspector to make sure we do not short-circuit our pay-as-you-go meter.
We once again showed him the illegal connection, and guess what? Nothing, zero, nada happened and it is still in place.
Also read: Tree felling at park upsets residents
Our family and friends will definitely not be voting for the ANC or DA in the next election.
It may not be many voices, but revolutions always start small.
Editor’s note: City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Gadebe responded as follows:
“The city is not aware of the complainant’s challenge with potholes in Loerie Lane, Anzac,” he said.
“We will prioritise the repair to these potholes in the street as a matter of urgency.
“For the installation of a speed hump, an application form must be submitted at the Roads and Stormwater Department, Functional Planning Division in Benoni.
“Such form is to be obtained from the Brakpan Roads Depot.
“This application for speed humps will be evaluated and, if warranted, the city will construct such a speed hump subject to availability of adequate budget.
“Regarding the electricity, the city is continually fighting illegal connections throughout Ekurhuleni, especially within the vicinity of informal settlements not yet electrified.
“Illegal connections are constantly removed only for the community to reconnect again.
“The city is currently assessing the distribution network in order to find a permanent solution (eg. relocation of distribution network and underground solutions).”
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