Ward 96 councillor Rufas Maswazi said 2025 was a year of steady progress, marked by infrastructure upgrades, job creation and continued efforts to address long-standing service delivery challenges across the ward.

According to Maswazi, who has been hard at work, several key roads were resurfaced during the year, including sections of Broadacres, Lombardy and Pine roads, improving mobility for residents and road users.

Read more: Cllr Maswazi disappointed with JRA for punishing good citizens over Pine Road delays

He said one of the major achievements was the rollout of public lighting projects aimed at improving safety and visibility.

Maswazi said 129 streetlights are currently being installed in Chartwell, while a large-scale project to install 300 solar-powered streetlights along the Malibongwe Road corridor, stretching to Lanseria Airport, is underway and expected to be completed by the end of January 2026.

Importantly, Maswazi said these infrastructure projects have also brought economic relief to local communities.

“Importantly, all these projects have created employment opportunities, with over a hundred local labourers and SMMEs being appointed,” he said.

He also talked about the handover of title deeds to beneficiaries of RDP houses in Riverside View as a key milestone in 2025, noting that the process helped restore dignity and security of tenure to many families.

Despite these gains, Maswazi acknowledged that the ward continues to face serious challenges. He said service delivery backlogs and delays in responses from city entities remain a major concern, often eroding residents’ trust in the municipality.

He listed potholes, unattended sewer blockages and leaking pipes in areas such as Cosmo Creek, Riverside, Thabo Mbeki and Adelaide Tambo as ongoing issues.

Persistent electricity outages in Broadacres and Chartwell, particularly during storm periods, also continue to affect residents.

In informal settlements, including Thabo Mbeki, Maswazi said the lack of adequate septic tank services remains a serious concern.

“While a service provider, Supreme Toilets, has been introduced, the backlog remains significant,” he said.

Also read: Ward 94 gets kerbs while Ward 96 gets excuses from JRA

Maswazi said 2026 will focus on following up on outstanding commitments, including the long-awaited school project in Riverside View. Addressing electricity outages in Chartwell and Broadacres will also be prioritised.

“In 2026, we plan to convene a dedicated meeting with Eskom to directly address these ongoing challenges and seek sustainable solutions,” he said.

Maswazi added that community engagement will remain central to the ward’s work. “Community involvement will remain central to our work,” he said, adding that consistent engagement through in-person meetings, ward platforms, and social media will continue.

“Open communication and collaboration with the community are essential to shaping, supporting, and protecting development initiatives in the ward.”

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