The DA hosted a community engagement event in Hospital View, Thembisa, on March 31, to hear residents’ concerns and service delivery challenges.
The event featured a mayoral motorcade to alert residents to the party’s presence, followed by site visits, door-to-door campaigning, and direct engagement with community members.
Mayoral candidate Khatutshelo Rasilingwane also walked through parts of Winnie Mandela, interacting with residents about the challenges they face daily.
ALSO READ: Letter: Ekurhuleni residents raise alarm over failing infrastructure and service delivery
One of the key site visits was to Maluleke Street in Ward 89, where a severely deteriorated road, filled with waste and waterlogged potholes, has become a major concern.
Rasilingwane pointed to a lack of accountability and ongoing service delivery failures, calling for urgent intervention from the City of Ekurhuleni, led by Mayor Nkosindiphile Doctor Xhakaza.
Resident Phillip Setje said the problem began with a single pothole that worsened over time, eventually developing into a large, hazardous hole that now affects mobility and daily life in the area.
“It’s been like this for four years. As a community, we have tried filling the holes with sand, but it doesn’t help. People fall into the holes when walking home at night because there are no streetlights, and children play in the water because they don’t know any better,” said Setje.
Ward 89 PR councillor Selby Thekiso said the DA has repeatedly submitted reports and petitions to the municipality, but little progress has been made.
ALSO READ: Letter: Kempton Park service delivery in decline
“The municipality always acknowledges our signed petitions and questions, but never follows through.
“We are used to how slow the municipality is to address such matters, but something needs to be done; the road is no longer usable,” said Thekiso.
Residents continue to plead for assistance, as the condition of the road affects access for vehicles, including taxis, scholar transport and waste collection services.
The Thembisan requested comment from the City of Ekurhuleni before the close of business on April 2.
At the time of publication, no official response had been received.
