Dukathole residents demand better living conditions

Dukathole informal settlement residents are not happy with their living conditions and demand improvements.

The mayor recently visited the area as part of the mayoral outreach programme, Masisebenzeni, to carry out service delivery inspections and engage with residents.

“The mayor visiting the area is nothing new,” said resident Nkosinathi Malaza.

“We have had officials visiting us, organising meetings and we raise the same issues but nothing ever gets done.

ALSO READ: Dukathole residents fed up with leaking sewage

We need service delivery. We need better living conditions,” said Malaza.

Dukathole residents’ grievances are mostly about illegal dumping, leaking sewage and no electricity supply.

Malaza said it is sad to see how people have learned to live under such deplorable conditions.

“We have constant sewage flowing in the streets and children cannot play freely because you worry about what sickness they will pick up. There are so many health hazards surrounding us and we just have to live with them,” said Malaza.

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Ward 35 Clr Ntuthuzelo Mpambani said the problems have been ongoing and they have engaged the necessary departments to resolve issues of Dukathole.

“We have been asking the government to fast-track the issues of Dukathole. Electricity needs to be sorted so every household can have power. People want electricity and they are willing to pay.

“If we have proper infrastructure, every member of this community will be able to buy electricity,” said Mpambani.

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He said they have also recommended to human settlement officials to start a re-blocking process and give community service stands.

“This project will solve our problems of foul-smelling water that is running in our streets, reduce illegal electricity connections and also bring dignity to our people by giving them ownership of the land,” said Mpambani.