LETTER: Residents deserve answers ahead of 2026 elections

• Tanya Venter writes:

As June rolls in, suddenly we see clean-up sessions through the “Rapid Response” Ntirhisano initiative in Bekkersdal on May 13 and the rollout of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) plan on the evening of May 14 in Hillshaven, even a conference held to roll out the Mayoral Grants-in-Aid on May 15 and an elderly readers’ storytelling workshop for May 22, just to mention a few.

But what we do not see is water tankers in areas that seem to be hit by the constant water disruptions in the areas of Westonaria, Glenharvie, Hillshaven, Mountain View, Greenhills, just to mention some areas.

What we don’t see is roads being maintained so that they do not collapse when there is a sudden downpour of rain. What we don’t see is law enforcement ensuring that the electricity supply is not being taken hostage by people who believe it is their right to steal, because the municipality refuses to even open cases at the SAPS, probably because it is just too much effort and would mean an administrator would actually have to leave their office and go stand in a queue for a docket number.

What we do not see is that when a resident has a municipal issue and makes that telephone call, the phone is actually answered, the call logged, and a reference number generated so that an auditable trail can be created and accountability can be kept.

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This is what residents do see:

1. Potholes, water issues, electricity issues and safety concerns reported on various WhatsApp groups created by local administrators who invite ward councillors to be on these WhatsApp groups so that they may be “aware” of these issues – and yet we have the collapse of infrastructure – we will use Homestead Avenue as an example. And they must report it to their ward councillor to escalate it without a crucial reference number to ensure there is accountability. No call centre available!

2. Political parties standing on street corners, maybe 500m away from a stretch of road that is clearly collapsing, like Kenneth Road, for example, asking you to vote in the upcoming municipal elections on November 4.

3. Illegal dumping is occurring right next to a water tower that is meant to be clear of contaminants. I will use Lazar Avenue as an example, where vagrants and residents can dump whatever they choose without any repercussions.

4. Transformers that are obviously in urgent need of upgrades are being struck by lightning because the lightning protectors were either stolen or vandalised, and the ward councillor claims to have “escalated” it, but it was never actually escalated because there is no auditable reference number to an auditable source that can be held accountable.

5. Three cherry pickers to service electrical outages, of which you can be guaranteed at least one is always broken or in for a service. Contractors that go into a complex and just turn off the entire complex’s water supply because either they are incompetent or because they misunderstood the actual job card – take your pick.

6. An influx of cable theft, residential theft and less policing since the Droogheuwel Complex was constructed, because it is clear that subcontractors on this complex have “casual” employees that need to be housed and fed, especially when the site stands still during project times.

So, the government of national unity (GNU) of Rand West City Local Municipality, November 4, is not so far away. If this were a game show, like, say, for example, Shark Tank, why would you want me to invest in your failing business and not go to some other political party?

I think the residents of the greater Rand West City should be given true justification as to why the November 4 elections will yield any better results than what you obviously deem to be your finest coalition yet.