The state of Germiston has left little to be desired by residents.

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Weekly, GCN receives complaints from residents about lack of service delivery, from illegal dumping to electricity issues. Residents and businesses are left to find solutions or make means to get things done.

Delville resident Betty Nkosi was one of the most recent residents to express grievances.

Nkosi said she has been a victim of electricity outages and bad service delivery.

“It has been years now, and I am tired. Many households have been without power for days,” she said.

“The lack of reliable electricity supply in Germiston has been an ongoing challenge.”

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By February 25, Nkosi had been without power for three days.

“This is a common occurrence in Delville. I contacted the metro several times to notify them of the outage at my house and 10 other houses on my street. Technicians came to assess the issue once. They did not even spend five minutes at the electrical pole. That was the last time we saw them,” said Nkosi.

“It is unacceptable as it costs us money. My son and I work from home. Numerous e-mails, tweets and calls made no difference,” she said.

Spokesperson for the office of the mayor Phakamile Mbengashe said: “An uninterrupted energy supply in the city is a key priority for the administration and should receive the utmost attention.

“Energy powers small businesses, factories, households, schools and medical services. Reliable and sustainable energy also attracts investment into the city, which creates the much-needed jobs required to bring down youth unemployment in the region.”

He said the city is working on a plan to renew and maintain the energy infrastructure.

On technicians not being efficient, Phakamile said they are planning to introduce new technology.

“The city will introduce new technology in the form of handheld devices that will alert technicians of power interruptions and complaints in real-time. This will decrease the response time for technicians to start repairs on electrical faults,” said Mbengashe.

“The city is developing a new communication protocol that will enhance its ability to respond and release information regarding service delivery issues across the city.”

Illegal dumping
GCN also questioned the city about the filth and illegal dumping in the city.

Open spaces become dumping grounds and rubbish is found on many street corners and at traffic lights.
Businesses have complained to GCN about the filth and many expressed frustration about the negative impact on business operations.

City spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said: “The city renders refuse removal services to formal households weekly as scheduled and comprehensive service is provided daily in informal settlements.

“Illegally disposed waste is removed on an as-and-when basis. There is a rotational schedule in each region for the cleaning and removal of illegally dumped waste, depending on the availability of resources. Illegal dumping is created by individuals who do not care about the environment and the effects thereof, even though refuse removal services are available.”