UPDATE: EMM explains service delivery limitations in Lindelani settlement

The land is not owned by the metro.

Lindelani residents protested about the lack of electricity in the area this week.

The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) said the Lindelani informal settlement is located on privately owned land, making it difficult to provide permanent services such as electricity.

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The comment comes after scores of Lindelani residents took to Kingsway Avenue to protest about the lack of electricity in the settlement.

EMM spokesperson Themba Gadebe explained: “The Human Settlements Department will have to secure permission from the land owner for the installation of permanent services or alternatively secure alternative land to relocate the settlement.”

He added the department will have to include Lindelani in the informal settlement re-blocking programme in order to create access roads and facilitate the installation of permanent services.

When the City Times asked when the EMM will be restoring power to the residents, Gadebe explained the residents never had electricity in the area.

“The use of the word ‘restore’ for this question might be misconstrued as it suggests that it has been switched off or taken away,” he explained.

He said the city has provided portable photovoltaic solar lighting units to individual households in the settlements.

This will serve as a temporary energy solution while a permanent solution is being investigated.