Frustrated residents used the City of Johannesburg’s Integrated Development Planning (IDP) meeting on Saturday, May 16, to vent anger over potholes, sewage spills, broken streetlights and deteriorating infrastructure across Region C.

Executive mayor Dada Morero addressed residents at Roodepoort City Hall during the public engagement session, where community members questioned the city’s ability to deliver basic services amid mounting infrastructure failures.

While Morero highlighted development projects and plans for the region, much of the meeting centred on residents demanding answers from city entities over long-standing service delivery problems.

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Roads, sewage, and electricity complaints dominated discussions, with residents raising concerns about dangerous potholes, stormwater drainage failures in flood-prone areas, sewage flowing through streets, recurring water shortages and streetlights that have remained broken for months.

Officials from the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), Johannesburg Water (JW) and City Power faced heavy criticism during the engagement, with many residents accusing the city of responding too slowly to infrastructure failures.

City officials acknowledged that some projects remain delayed because of budget constraints.

Among the projects discussed was the stalled R45m multipurpose centre in Matholesville, which Morero said had halted due to funding challenges.

In Fleurhof, the Department of Human Settlements’ Fleurhof Mixed Development project is reportedly 90% complete after receiving R44m in funding. Morero also confirmed that a contractor has been appointed to rebuild the Pierre Road bridge following flood damage.

The mayor further addressed growing concerns over waste management, warning that several landfill sites are rapidly reaching capacity.

He said the city is exploring waste incineration as an alternative to reduce pressure on landfill sites and urged residents to stop illegal dumping.

“This practice of sending your children, mostly at night, to dump waste in open spaces must stop,” Morero told residents.

“We cannot have JMPD arresting you for this instead of focusing on criminals.”

Morero also called on residents to help conserve water by repairing leaking taps and reducing unnecessary water wastage.

During the session, residents were informed of a proposed 3.6% increase in rates and tariffs for residential and business properties, expected to take effect from July 1.

Pensioners, indigent households, unemployed residents and young-headed households are encouraged to register for the Expanded Social Package (ESP), which provides qualifying residents with rebates and access to free basic services.

Morero additionally announced plans to allow qualifying informal traders to place movable business structures on city-owned land through long-term lease agreements.

Despite the announcements, residents repeatedly returned the discussion to deteriorating service delivery, urging the city to prioritise maintenance, faster response times and visible action in struggling communities.