Residents of Fairleigh and Siyahlala-la say they have reached breaking point, claiming they feel ignored and neglected by the current town administration.

Members of the community met with Newcastle Advertiser journalists to express their frustration over failing infrastructure, poor service delivery and deteriorating living conditions.

Siyahlala-la residents highlight ongoing hardship

Speaking on behalf of residents, Llewelyn Bentley and Cameron Murugam said the community has endured years of neglect.

“It has been years of begging to be seen, heard and treated with dignity. Instead, we are pushed aside while our quality of life deteriorates daily,” they said.

According to residents, around 420 houses in Siyahlala-la have been without electricity for more than eight years.

“When we received our RDP houses, we were given five light bulbs along with the keys and occupancy letters. But what use are light bulbs without electricity?” they asked.

Residents also pointed out that the absence of street names makes it difficult for emergency services to locate homes. “We have buried many people because ambulances cannot find us in time. They get lost due to the absence of street names.”

Crime remains a serious concern, with reports of frequent robberies, break-ins and sexual violence.

“You lie in bed at night and hear screams from women being attacked. We call for help, but services cannot find us. People bleed to death because help does not arrive,” residents claim.

Persistent sewage overflows have further worsened conditions. “It is everywhere; in our yards, homes and streets. It makes us sick. Our children walk through it every day to get to school,” they said.

Residents also allege that the mayor promised electricity by Christmas 2023. Two years later, they say there has been no progress or further engagement.

The Newcastle Advertiser was informed that R10 million had been allocated to replace sewer pipes, which are reportedly too small for the area’s needs. The municipality has not yet commented on the matter.

Overgrown grass has contributed to a rat infestation, which residents say attracts snakes and creates a dangerous environment, particularly for children and the elderly.

Residents believe these challenges are fuelling rising crime levels. “Our children have nothing to do. Without facilities or electricity, they are exposed to crime and negative influences,” they said.

Fairleigh residents raise safety and infrastructure concerns

In Fairleigh, particularly in David Street, residents say municipal-owned homes have not been maintained for years.

“These houses are falling apart. Ceilings still contain asbestos, walls are cracked and roofs leak badly when it rains,” said Bentley and Murugam.

Residents also raised concerns about overgrown trees and non-functioning street lights, which leave the area in darkness and increase the risk of crime. They fear that trees could fall and cause damage to homes, vehicles or people. Local recreational facilities are also in a state of disrepair. During a site visit, Newcastle Advertiser journalists found the swimming pool and tennis courts abandoned and vandalised.

Used glue bottles were scattered across the area, reportedly used by both children and adults to get high.

The pool is broken, overgrown with vegetation and used as a dumping site, while surrounding buildings have been stripped of windows, doors and roofing. Fencing has also been stolen, and the tennis courts are severely damaged.

Residents say the lack of safe recreational spaces leaves young people vulnerable.

“With nothing to do, many children turn to drugs and crime,” they said.

Play parks in the area have also fallen into disrepair, further limiting safe spaces for the community.

Councillor responds to concerns

In response, Ward 25 Councillor Shandy Singh said he sympathises with residents and has made repeated efforts to address their concerns since taking office in November 2021.

“I have probably met with the administration around 30 times since my inauguration to try to get their electricity switched on. Unfortunately, every meeting has been fruitless, with me being sent from pillar to post in search of answers and a resolution,” he said.

Singh added that he has received varying explanations from officials, including a lack of funding and delays in appointing service providers. He further alleged that, over the past four years, at least five homes have burnt down due to lack of electricity. “Residents are forced to use candles and gas appliances in their homes, which have resulted in fires and, ultimately, homes being destroyed,” he said.

Singh noted that despite a substation and power lines already being in place, no clear explanation has been provided for the delay in electrifying Siyahlala-la.

He also warned that criminal activity is worsening the situation, with cable theft and vandalism of infrastructure likely to increase future repair costs.

Regarding sewage overflows, Singh said the issue stems largely from flaws in the original system design. “The pipes that were proposed, approved and installed are too small and cannot cope with the volume of waste from the area. These pipes now need to be removed and replaced – an unnecessary expense had the work been done correctly from the beginning,” he said.

However, he added that community behaviour also contributes to blockages.

“People are flushing items that block the sewer lines. I have personally seen municipal workers remove nappies, blankets and other unsuitable items from the system.

“Greater community engagement is needed to educate residents on proper usage, which would help reduce the problem,” he concluded.

The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and follow us on our WhatsApp Channel