Whip of Council Ald Khetha Shandu visited parts of Elandsfontein after receiving numerous complaints about service delivery.

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The GCN has previously reported about residents’ frustrations with sewage, poor road infrastructure, illegal dumping and power outages.

Accompanied by Ward 92 Clr Kade Guerrero and other city officials, Shandu visited the area and addressed the issues faced by residents of Hattingh Street.

He said one of the challenges is the water leaking from premises on Hattingh Street.

“Fines have been issued but the city’s instructions have not to been followed. The roads department cannot fix the road while the water is still leaking,” said Shandu.

“On the other hand there is work in progress as we are unblocking the drainage system which contributes to some of the water challenges,” he said.

He said that illegal connections to electricity power sources have been rife in the Elandsfontein area for the past two years.

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“Due to Covid-19 and the city’s stretched resources, illegal connections went from bad to worse.

“The EMPD and relevant stakeholders have on numerous occasions removed illegal connections but they were quickly back.

“This puts the network system at risk due to high demand and supply and often infrastructure would explode, burn or become unfunctional,” said Shandu.

“The power station at Hattingh Street exploded a couple of weeks ago due to illegal connections. The connected lines run through poles and trees to the informal settlement.

“These kinds of connections do not only cost the CoE money but they are a danger to residents. Hartebees and Kangaroo streets had no power for a long time.

“When we disconnected the illegal connections and restored power, the illegal connections were back again in no time.”

He said shacks have extended since his last visit to the area and the wetland is getting smaller.

He highlighted that there is illegal dumping at Hattingh Street, which contributes to the expansion of shacks in the area.

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“There are trucks dumping rubble, soil and sand at the wetland. A number of them have been caught and their respective companies have been issued fines. This area is not designated for dumping,” said Shandu.

“The dumping contributes to the water that infiltrates the school grounds of Sizwe Secondary School.

“The water from the wetland is supposed to deliver its banks to the Jet Park Dam. The water in Elandsfontein is now contaminated, which means that wildlife and marine animals are affected at the Jet Park Dam.”

He said that there are pipes at Sizwe Secondary School, which are supposed to be used to upgrade the sewage and drainage system of Elandsfontein, but due to Covid-19 funds had to be cut from that project.