A general malaise has settled in local government across the country. Rampant corruption, inefficiency and zero public confidence marks the current impasse that residents face when dealing with local councils.
Despite the efforts of some council employees to help residents, they are the face of an inept system, characterized by bloated and cumbersome, and outdated processes and procedures that are difficult for most residents to navigate. Residents are faced with inflated electricity bills and have no recourse but to pay for trumped up charges. Coupled with the constant theft of council bins, residents are forced to fork out more money for the replacement and to wait more than six months for relief.
Lotus Street resident, Sumaya Adam, told the Laudium Sun, “My dustbin was stolen more than 6 months ago and since then I have been waiting for a new one. I have completed the necessary forms more than three times, together with an affidavit and sent these to the council offices in Laudium, but nothing has come to fruition”. Another complaint by Sumaya, was after a subsequent visit to the City Council revealed an unexpectedly high bill of R7000. “I was stunned that despite paying the electricity bill and communicating electronically to the council during lockdown, I was told that this large estimation was used instead as the meter readers could not go out during the entire lockdown period. The unexpected exorbitant bill remains unchanged and due, despite my many emails requesting clarity and a reduction. I was redirected from the Council’s Laudium office to the Centurion office to resolve this and to source the dustbin. Personal responsibilities and the unexpected costs of travelling each time to Centurion is costly and time consuming. When I got to the council office again, I was told that the system was offline and to return the next day.” Lamenting at the lack of service delivery despite her many attempts and the inexplicable costs, Sumaya added, “I wish something can be done about this estimated account. How am I going to repay this debt?”
Councilor Mahomed Essop, of Ward 61, confirmed that he had received the complaint and had directed Sumaya to the Centurion office to resolve these issues. He has also communicated the community’s complaint about the general lack of service delivery at the local council offices in Laudium to the relevant authorities.
*The inefficiencies of local governance trickles down to municipalities and local councils. It is imperative that the authorities find an equitable and reasonable way forward for many residents with similar issues, as public confidence is at an all-time low. With local elections a few months away, residents are at a loss as to how much more they can endure in terms of poor service delivery, and there may be a few surprises in store for local political parties. Some areas of South Africa had seen incredible bids from local groups to take over standard city council duties and services. A judge sentenced the Municipal Manager of Kgetlengrivier in the North West earlier this year and granted a citizens group permission to perform the neglected task. Could this be the wave of the future?

Resident of Lotus Street, Laudium, Sumaya Adam, said council workers are unprofessional.

A recent council account of Sumaya, shows an exorbitant amount charged for electricity, which is apparently an estimate