Residents of Hlalanikahle Ext 1 (L-Section) being relocated by the Emalahleni Local Municipality, say they are fed up with living in the dark and are demanding a clear timeframe for electricity installation.

Concerned resident Sibusiso Sgudla confirmed that the municipality started moving residents from L-Section to a new area a few months ago and that the process is still ongoing.

However, he expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of the relocation and the fact that families who have already been moved remain without power.

READ MORE: Hlalanikahle residents demand change from mayor

“We need the timeframe of when the electricity is going to be installed because they said it’s coming, but we want to know when,” Sgudla said.

The latest complaint comes after years of service delivery grievances. On September 18, 2025, residents held a confrontational meeting with Mayor Vusi Nhlapho, where they raised issues with land allocation and a lack of water, toilets, and electricity.

They complained that areas established after theirs have since developed, while they continue to live in dark and uncomfortable conditions.

READ MORE: Impande ka Masolobana hands over clothing in Kromdraai

At the time, the mayor promised to send a team to assess vacant land for possible occupation, as he said they would first need to tackle that before bringing services such as electricity to the people.

“Once the issue of land is resolved, we will then be able to look into the other problems of service delivery,” he said.

Following that meeting, the municipality delivered two JoJo tanks to the area to give residents access to water.

Witbank News reached out to municipal spokesperson Lebo Mofokeng for comment on the matter, but had received no response by the time of going to print.

eMalahleni Magistrate’s Court postponed the case against Mpilo Sibiya, accused of murdering Marchein Tlou, whose lifeless body was found at a residence in Hlalanikahle Phase 4 early this yearhttps://t.co/Ub8gko03Wb#WitbankNews #emalahleni #Hlalanikahle #Murder #Marchein

— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) August 27, 2026

Your city, your story, as it happens. Stay in the loop with WITBANK NEWS.
Find us on our  website, Facebook, X,  Instagram or TikTok

Got a tip? Email: info@witbanknews.co.za