A VIDEO involving a confrontation with Ward 34 residents and Councillor Bobby Maharajh went viral on social media platforms last night.

Frustrated residents approached Maharajh during his first ward committee meeting, at a restaurant on Chris Hani Road (North Coast Road) yesterday evening, and questioned him about the water and electricity outage that had been ongoing for some days.

READ ALSO: Glen Anil para surfer crowned SA champ

In the video, a man by the name of Gerald Francis asks Maharajh why these two pertinent issues are taking time to be resolved.

Maharajh explains that he was in a meeting all day and assisting the elderly with obtaining ID documents, and therefore did not get a chance to communicate.

Speaking to Northglen News, Francis said the confrontation had stemmed from weeks of frustration.

“We are tired of Bobby’s attitude of no response. He is selective with whom he chooses to help. We are grateful that he was assisting the elderly, however, issues such as water and electricity interruptions should be prioritised. He stopped communicating updates as to when the water and power would be restored, so we had no choice but to confront him at his meeting to find out. This has been going on for a long time. We are frustrated and fed-up,” said Francis.

READ ALSO: Nourishing the Comrades nation

He added that he has started a petition to remove Maharajh as ward councillor, which has already gained 150 signatures.

The woman filming the confrontation is Nirvashini Singh, a North Coast Road resident of 20 years, who was affected by the water outage.

Being one of the affected residents, she also expresses her frustration in the video and tells Maharajh that he is a public servant.

Maharajh replies that he ‘does not work for her’.

“He was arrogant and spoke to me rudely. He could not answer my question as to when water would be restored. I had no water for two days. Bobby explained on the WhatsApp group that repairs were underway, and after that, there was no update from him,” said Singh.

“There is a clear lack of communication from the ward councillor, a lack of respect, lack of service delivery on his part, and it’s a recurring problem. When Ward 34 has a problem, it’s usually weeks before it is attended to,” added Singh.

She added that he was disingenuous in responses, passed the blame to contractors and the municipality, and created a division among residents by creating different groups and reporting different information.

“Ward 34 and Ward 35 are two different wards but separated by just one road. Both are DA-run wards, yet there is a vast difference in service delivery. Why is that?” asked Singh.

In response to what had transpired in the video, Maharajh confirmed that he had been in meetings all day and was also attending to the elderly who were collecting their ID documents in Kenville.

“I did report the electricity and water interruption to the municipality, and I have proof of it. I was, however, unable to communicate this with residents as I had a busy day,” said Maharajh.

He said electrical issues had started on Tuesday, and he has been on top of things.

READ ALSO: End of an era for Durban North vegan and craft market

“While in Kenville, assisting the elderly, an incident occurred, and I could not leave them alone and attend to other issues as they were afraid. When the residents approached me on North Coast Road, I had just concluded my last meeting for the day,” he said.

“The group barged in, but I was not prepared to speak to them inside the premises as the owner had kindly allowed me to use the restaurant for this meeting. So I asked them to speak outside,” said Maharajh.

He said the bottom line was the residents wanted to know why he had not answered their calls.

Following this, he and residents drove to Havelock Road to check repairs where they discovered that the valves had been closed.

“I contacted the relevant departments and asked them to send someone to open the valves. This had also affected Kenville and Sea Cow Lake,” he said.

“I have proof of reporting the faults to the relevant departments and WhatsApp messages from residents thanking me,” added Maharajh.

He denied allegations that he was failing at his duties.

“I am here to help, and I do deliver. People must realise that Ward 34 is a huge area. If I don’t respond via WhatsApp or answer my phone, people think that I’m not doing my job, but work is being done,” he said.

The video can be viewed on the Facebook group, Greenwood Park aka Da Fields.