Residents had the opportunity to enquire about service delivery matters at a service delivery open day hosted at the Impumelelo Self Help Centre in Pollak Park on April 22.

Community members received information from various Ekurhuleni departments, including energy, finance, economic development, city planning, disaster management, waste, parks, water and sanitation, and roads.

Wright Park resident Mzimkhulu Khumalo (72) raised the issue of the municipality’s billing system.

“We are not happy with the way they bill us. Water is expensive. We pay up to R10 000 per month. Yesterday I received my monthly statements, and the water bill is R2 700, and I am a pensioner. Where am I going to get that money, because even my pension grant doesn’t reach that amount?

“We are pleading with the municipality to help those who are indigent. We have been lodging complaints for a long time, and we always get promises that aren’t fulfilled. We hope this time they will come through,” he said.

Khumalo also mentioned how Wright Park has no recreational facilities.

“We have been living here for the past 31 years. We have to hold community meetings at the local park, which is impossible when it is raining. These are some of the issues we have been complaining about for years,” Khumalo said.

Springs Extension resident Elsie Thoabala came to the open day to raise the issue of a large tree and overgrown grass at a sharp curve on a road in their area, which poses a safety concern for drivers.

“You can’t properly see the other side of the road when you drive past there because of how big the tree is, as well as the uncut grass,” Thoabala said.

Betty Mbatha, also from Springs Extension, appealed to the council to provide them with bins.

“They once told us they don’t have bins, so we asked them to take the refuse bags instead. They don’t usually take refuse bags, which leads to illegal dumping,” she said.

Mduduzi Msezane from the Energy Department Depot in Springs said the day served its purpose, although the attendance was poor.

“We hope for a better turnout on the next open day. We managed to help the few who came. The main problem highlighted by residents is electricity cut-offs, which are finance related, so we referred them to the relevant departments,” Msezane said.

Sister Kate Skosana highlighted the issue of the community not being aware of the free services available through their Clinical Forensic Medical Services programme.

“We have a crisis centre at Far East Rand Hospital that deals with sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, drunken driving, and substance abuse, where we are able to place people in rehabilitation centres,” she said.

She was among the representatives from the Health Department who offered blood pressure and sugar diabetes testing and information on their services.

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Skosana added how the crisis centre also has services for rape and domestic violence survivors.

“If someone is experiencing domestic violence, they must visit the Far East Rand Hospital and ask the security to direct them to the crisis centre where our social workers can assist.

“We work 24 hours, seven days a week. Rape victims can come to our centre, and we will conduct a full examination, collect evidence and the necessary documentation.

“We don’t only examine you, but we also offer you a treatment. Even if you don’t want to open a case, it’s crucial that you get this treatment to prevent yourself from contracting STIs if you’ve been exposed,” she said.

To contact the crisis centre, call the Far East Rand Hospital on 011 812 8300 and ask to be transferred to the centre.