Poor service delivery by the DA/ActionSA alliance controlled council, continues to be a concern for Laudium residents. Residents say that they are fed up with the ongoing attitude of council officials and politicians who treat them as second class citizens concerning service delivery and who are instead giving priority to the previously known white suburbs.
Whilst residents have been complaining that council workers take long to attend to their complaints, such as electricity tripping, water leaks and long grass on sidewalks, they are worried that the council does not even respond to complaints that pose a danger to the community, such as open man-holes and about to fall streetlight poles. This week saw a number of residents complaining to the Laudium Sun about a streetlight on Mendhi Street that poses a serious danger to all those walking or driving past, as it is about to fall.
This follows the Laudium Sun team driving past the falling streetlight and stopping after spotting the slanting light pole. The Laudium Sun then spoke to a number of residents in the area, all of whom said that the street light had been in the ‘falling’ position for about 6 years, despite numerous calls to the relevant department and politicians to attend to the matter.
Haseena Shaik who lives on Mendhi Street told the Laudium Sun, “The position of that street pole is such that it is expected to fall anytime now. It has been like that for thepast 6 years, but surprisingly it has still not fallen. We have reported the matter to council on several occasions, but over these past 6 years, no one from the council has come to replace the pole. It is very dangerous for us, more so as the pole is right in front of our house and it can fall at any time. Many of us from the area have reported the danger of the pole telephonically and even at the council office in Laudium, but the council officials keep on telling us that they have ordered a new streetlight. How can they take so long just to replace a pole. This council is clearly not interested in serving the needs of our people.”
Ahmed Baker who lives on Mendhi Street told the Laudium Sun, “The council is playing with our lives. The street pole can fall anytime, but the council no longer shows any interest to replace the pole.”
Resident, Angie Moodley also of Mendhi Street added, “We have reported the matter many times to the council, but no one has come to replace the pole. Something needs to be done, as I have kids that go to school and back. Their transport as well as I myself, use the street daily.”
Councillor Naeem Patel said, “I urge residents who have a complaint to first call the council and obtain a reference number, then kindly call me so that I may escalate it further.”
