Residents respond with complaints after city announces free Wi-Fi roll-out

AFTER the eThekwini Municipality announced that free Wi-Fi hotspots have been installed in certain areas of Durban’s inner city, on their Facebook page on Thursday, some Durban residents commended the municipality’s efforts. However, there were an overwhelming amount of resident complaints in response to the announcement. Many Durban residents brought up litter and illegal-dumping issues, service-delivery issues, road-condition complaints, as well as crime complaints.

The free Wi-Fi hotspots are situated in Warwick Junction, Florida Road, and the beachfront, and according to the municipality, the free Wi-Fi roll-out initiative forms part of the City’s plans to promote Durban as a smart city with access to the digital world.

“This is an extension to the more than 1 000 sites already in place at our libraries, Sizakala Centres, community halls, clinics and other places,” said the municipality in their Facebook post.

Each resident is allowed access to 500MB of free Wi-Fi, and although the municipality mentioned that the free roll-out will be continuing to other areas, residents headed to the comments with some alternate suggestions for city initiatives.

https://www.facebook.com/243784235671698/posts/5395794730470597/?d=n

“I thought maybe you would say eMlazi kaJ, Klaarwater or Chatsworth, places that at the moment have zero connection,” said Samuel ‘Sbi Techn’ Sebego.

Gavin Pollock sarcastically commented, “Great, we can do live TikTok updates of the potholes and non-functioning street lights.”

UNtokozo Mcineka Ka Makamu raised the issue of crime in Durban. “Wi-Fi hotspots will be crime hotspots if the city is not careful. Fight crime first, and people can feel safe to go to Wi-Fi hotspots.”

Fatima Tarmahomed offered some suggestions for other city issues that need attention, “How about doing something about the litter in and around the city, the potholes, and the broken street lights – make our city beautiful again?”

Zamangethe Zwane recommended that the municipality take it back to the basics. “Right now, can you prioritise basic needs – water and electricity?”

Nirmala Govender also commented on water supply across the city. “We don’t need Wi-Fi; we need water!”

Others commented on the municipality’s service delivery. Mduduzi Mwelase said, “I’m not interested. The municipality is delaying essential services.”

The municipality has headed to their comments to tackle some of the complaints, and they answered most of the resident’s questions.

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