The challenges of service delivery range from sewer blockages, uncut grass, potholes, illegal dumping, non-functional street lights, blocked storm drains and uncollected refuse.

In 2021 Kathorus Mail interviewed residents of Mandela Section, Katlehong who were affected by sewer waste that follows through Lesotho Street due to major sewer blockages that are caused by sinkholes near Ezibeleni School for the disabled.

Informal residents in the Mandela section are not the only affected citizens, formal residential areas in nearby neighbourhoods are also affected.

It has been over three years since the road was closed because of the sinkholes, and a large amount of sewer water has been stuck, it has turned dark and green in colour.

Residents are affected by bad order and flies, some of them cannot use their toilets at home due to the blockage, and they rely on portable plastic toilets provided by the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE).

Tshepo Mokotsomela told Kathorus Mail that he recently moved into the area, he pointed out that the environment that people are living in is unfair and unhealthy.

“We live in a low laying area when it rains the water is mixed with sewage and flows into people’s houses.
This becomes a serious problem because you would find a family of six people living in a one-room shack with parents sleeping on the bed and children sleeping on the floor, during rainy sessions it’s a mess,” said Mokotsomela.

The problems facing the Kathorus Township are not limited to sewer, as the township has uncut grass at public parks and open fields around the township.

Many residents attribute the increase of crime to uncut grass because criminals use those spaces as hideout spots more so because the street lights are not functioning.

Other challenges are illegal dumping sites that are created by ignorant residents, however, the uncollected refuge also contributes to the problem.

The first two weeks of April saw late waste collection to non-collection in various parts of Katlehong.
The CoE Spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the City is aware of the challenges.

He said the issue of service delivery is not limited to the Kathorus Township citing that the township is getting the same services as other areas in the CoE.

He further noted that the CoE does not have financial capacity due to non-payment of services by residents and companies, which is negatively affecting the city from conducting its responsibilities adequately.

“Some people are not paying for services, they hide behind the banner of those who cannot afford them. There are indigents that are registered on the system, however, those who can afford must pay for services,” said Dlamini.

He said the city is not responsible for illegal dumping as they have continuously discouraged it.
On January 27, the City embarked on a campaign to call on all municipal account defaulters to pay up or face increased action, which includes the cutting of services.

According to a statement published on the City’s website, debt management interventions are being intensified against all account defaulters to ensure the City’s financial sustainability and the continued delivery of quality public services.

“The City will embark on a new SMS and email campaign entitled #PayYourPart, reminding people to pay by the pending due date if they have not yet done so. And encouraging those in arrears to pay up if they can or to approach the City to discuss payment options.

Account holders who have yet to pay or make arrangements to settle their debts will have their water restricted and electricity supplies disconnected until proof of payment on their accounts is provided to the City,” reads the statement.

Residents are encouraged to pay their municipal bills, you can pay your bills at Ackerman’s, Boxer, Builders Warehouse, Cambridge Food, Checkers, Game, Makro, PEP, Pick n Pay, Rhino Cash N Carry, Shoprite and Spar.
Or visit the nearest Customer Care Centre (CCC), alternatively, use Unipay and Blue Pay outlets or via the Siyakhokha online System.

Customers are encouraged to register at https://siyakhokha.ekurhuleni.gov.za/ to view their current account balance, download statements and make payments through the Siyakhokha portal.

Residents take charge

In an effort to counteract the issue of illegal dumping in Vosloours, Redeeming the Time Evangelistic Ministry (RTTEM) in partnership with Casual Day Project and Councillor Thekiso Motsopi organised a cleaning campaign on January 28.

RTTEM Senior Pastor David Matlakala said if the public can take care of the environment, the environment will do the same.

He said a clean environment helps prevent infectious diseases from spreading and gives the community clean air.
“We would like to encourage our people not to dump waste in the unauthorized sites,” said Matlakala.

“Waste dumps are main breeding sites for transmissible disease vectors such as rodents, houseflies and mosquitoes, which can aggravate the prevalence of water, food and waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid.”

In Katlehong, a group of residents from the Tsolo Section had complaints about a public park that is said to be abandoned by the municipality.

According to one of the residents Abel Thwanthwadi Maroga, the park is located at Phake next to Maitjibulo Primary School and Mnet sports ground.

He said dangerous criminals turned the park into a hotspot for conducting various criminal activities like robbery, dumping dead bodies and rapping women and young girls.

While neighbouring residents turned it into an illegal dumping site for rubbish, dead animals and stillborn babies.

“As Tsolo residents we decided to volunteer to clean and maintain the park for the safety of our community. We work for two hours on Tuesdays to Fridays.”