Fed up: Residents reach breaking point over service delivery failures
Frustration has reached boiling point among residents of Ward 5 as ongoing service delivery failures continue to plague the area.
Faced with worsening conditions in their neighbourhood, a determined group of Ward 5 (which includes Barry Hertzog Park, Amajuba Park, and Ncandu Park) residents gathered at Panorama High School on Monday (April 28) to forge a collective path forward.
The absence of the ward councillor at this critical meeting only intensified growing calls for leadership accountability and municipal responsiveness.
From deteriorating infrastructure to rising crime and health hazards, those in attendance spoke passionately about the urgent need for municipal action.
Public spaces are now marred by overgrown vegetation, gaping potholes, broken lighting, and scattered litter—symptoms of prolonged neglect. But more concerning for many is how these conditions have created an environment where crime has taken root.
A once-passable footpath between D.F. Malan and the College has become a known hiding place for stolen goods and a hotspot for illicit activity.
One resident noted, “This is more than inconvenience. It’s now a question of safety.”
A further source of tension has been the transformation of residential properties into student housing. While many residents understand the financial pressures driving this trend, they say it has led to sleepless nights due to loud parties, unruly behaviour, and a fraying of once-quiet neighbourhood bonds.
But perhaps the most emotionally charged topic was the current state of the former Barry Hertzog shopping centre. Once a cornerstone of community life, it has devolved into a hub of nightlife that residents say is incompatible with its proximity to a high school and preschool.
“We’re not against businesses,” said one resident. “But there needs to be order. That place must be fenced off. We can’t even walk past with our children anymore without being confronted by chaos.”
Public health concerns also took centre stage, particularly the persistent flow of raw sewage in parts of the suburb—a long-standing issue that continues to go unaddressed.
Rather than leave the meeting in frustration, residents resolved to take constructive steps. A formal petition is now in progress, calling on the municipality to act swiftly and enforce existing by-laws.
The Ward 5 councillor Muzo Ndlovu responds:
Ndlovu stated that he has consistently held public meetings to address the ongoing service delivery challenges in the ward. He acknowledged residents’ frustrations and affirmed that the concerns raised are both valid and pressing.
Regarding street lighting, Ndlovu confirmed that a comprehensive list of faulty lights has been recorded and forwarded to the relevant municipal department.
On the issue of potholes, Ndlovu said the municipality has assured him that repair work will begin once the current spell of heavy rains has passed. He also addressed the problem of overgrown grass, saying he has pushed for priority clearance in areas heavily used by schoolchildren, daily commuters, and pedestrians, as well as vacant lots and major roads.
Turning to the Barry Hertzog shopping centre, one of the most contentious issues raised by residents, Ndlovu emphasized that he is actively working toward a resolution.
“I plan to convene a meeting with all shop owners and tenants at the centre, along with representatives from the municipality, police, and the liquor board, to develop a lasting solution,” he said.
When asked about the rise in student accommodation and unregulated communes, Ndlovu said he met with landlords on March 1 to present a proposed set of rules aimed at improving oversight.
He also suggested a follow-up meeting that would include landlords and the Student Representative Council (SRC) to address concerns such as noise, litter—especially empty beer bottles—and loitering late at night.
He concluded by addressing the issue of illegally occupied vacant houses. “Together with Sector Commander Warrant Officer Mthembu, we’ve conducted operations to remove illegal occupants. I’ve also compiled a list of these properties and submitted it to the municipality for further action,” he said.
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