VEREENIGING – Peacehaven residents have accused the Emfuleni Local Municipality of not providing adequate services. The community’s concerns include Waste management, water supply, road maintenance, and water leaks that allegedly go unattended.

They said that the lack of service delivery emanating from ELM has resulted in property damage and value depreciation, financial loss, and dealing with various health hazards.

Speaking to Ster North, Ward 15 Councillor Prudence Hlanyane said that service delivery in Peacehaven is extremely poor.

“I have personally reported some of the issues to the municipality. These include Water leaks, some for more than two years, sewer spillages affecting Golf Road, Jansen, and some parts of General Hertzog, and waste collection.

“All of these issues have been reported by myself to all relevant departments, however, nothing is being done by the municipality.

“The biggest concern for Peacehaven residents is that Three Rivers which is just next door, looks far better than Peacehaven. But you would note that in Three Rivers, there’s an organisation called Proudly Three Rivers that does all services without the help of Emfuleni.”

Following an enquiry by Ster North, ELM’s Acting Assistant Manager for Media Relations Chuchi Radebe said, “The Vereeniging area has a challenge of aged water and sanitation infrastructure. As a result, the municipality experiences an abnormally high volume of water leaks in Peacehaven, Duncanville, Arcon Park, Sonland Park, Waldrift, Unitas Park, and Three Rivers. Our water teams attend to water leaks as and when reported, however, our turnaround time is profoundly influenced by the influx of queries in the area.”

Radebe requests all affected consumers to report all outstanding leaks (especially ones reported to have been there for 2 years) with a reference number so that they can be given immediate attention.

“On the sewer front, Vereeniging has widespread challenges of blockages. teams have tried the high-pressure method to unblock the lines and met with success in some and failures in most. Failed unblocking is due to several reasons, but the most common ones are collapsed lines which need a complete line replacement. The sewer team has requested a budget for the new financial year to deal with sewer problems in the Vereeniging area.”

Radebe said it must be recorded that Three Rivers residents have an MOU with the municipality that allows them to do some work for themselves where ELM has shortcomings.
He states that regardless of the municipality collecting most revenue in Three Rivers as compared to Peacehaven, the waste collection services MOU remains in place and thoroughly fulfilled.

“It is impractical to compare the state of the two areas when it comes to services. Peacehaven is on a fortnightly waste collection schedule, and it is the same with Three Rivers.”
Radebe said for Peacehaven to be fully serviced, the municipality requires 2 compactor trucks a week. Peacehaven is also included in the 90-day maintenance programme for the cleaning of illegal dumping hotspots.”

Unfortunately, ELM is not collecting as it should in Peacehaven as opposed to Three Rivers. This is due to several challenges on the part of the municipality and Peacehaven consumers.

“We are aware of our billing system challenges that require immediate attention. We are equally aware of a culture of non-payment of municipal services and illegal connections of water and electricity happening in Peacehaven. Wrongdoers are requested to refrain from these acts and exercise responsible citizenry by paying for services.”

Radebe highlights that payment for services is necessary for the change the community of Peacehaven seeks.