City manager returns to Kempton Park Energy Depot to address workers’ concerns

The City of Ekurhuleni’s city manager, Kagiso Lerutla, returned to the Kempton Park Energy Depot on January 22 to provide feedback to workers following the launch of the Fixing the Frontline programme.

Workers welcomed the visit, noting that some of their previously raised concerns had been addressed.

While not all issues were resolved, employees said the engagement showed progress and demonstrated that the city manager is committed to listening and making a difference.

Lawrence Mphanama, shop steward for the Kempton Park Energy Department, said the new tools would help workers perform their duties more effectively.

ALSO READ: Pensioner battles City of Ekurhuleni over inflated water bill after leak

“We are grateful that the city manager came back and brought tools, because it was very difficult for us to work on-site without proper equipment.

“These tools will help us serve our customers and the community better. I believe he will also address the issue with trucks, which shows his commitment,” Mphanama said.

The engagement forms part of the City Manager’s ongoing commitment to direct communication with frontline employees.

It ensures that issues raised during the launch of Fixing the Frontline are addressed, progress updates are shared, and workers remain informed about improvements within the Energy Department.

“We met with our officials at the depot last week for the launch of the Fixing the Frontline legacy.

“We listened to the challenges our workers face. One major concern was the lack of tools to do their work properly, and today we handed over brand-new tools,” Lerutla said.

ALSO READ: City of Ekurhuleni urges residents to report illegal dumping

“The second issue was the fleet. We are launching new vehicles next week to empower our workers to operate efficiently on the ground. With the tools we provided, they will be better equipped to respond to issues quickly,” he added.

Workers had previously reported on January 13 that the depot lacked proper tools, functioning showers, cleanliness, and sufficient vehicles.

During the visit, the city manager handed over working tools, including hydraulic crimping tools, spanners, and toolboxes, and initiated cleaning of the depot to improve operational effectiveness.

ALSO READ: Kagiso Lerutla appointed as new City of Ekurhuleni manager

Tshilidzi Thenga, head of the Energy Department, highlighted the ongoing challenges at the depot.

“Kempton Park has several challenges. First, internal resources must be available to perform duties effectively.

“Recently, we have seen a rise in cable theft and vandalism of equipment. Without adequate resources, we cannot respond in time. Providing these tools allows workers to act quickly, but we must also address cable theft and vandalism to maintain efficiency,” Thenga explained.