Elandsfontein residents fed up with deteriorating state of environment
Guerreiro stated that there is a need to revisit general development, roads, water and sewage, energy, and crime and safety.
Residents of Elandsfontein are furious about their poor living circumstances and deteriorating and/or failing infrastructure.
The state of the area is constantly getting worse due to crumbling roads, widespread illegal dumping, sewage, illegal connections, crime and other issues.
Residents have in the past burned tyres and rubble to block Barbara Road on multiple occasions to express their frustration.
ALSO READ: Collapsed power lines cause power outage in Elandsfontein
The problems that the community faces from huge illegal connections in Hattih Street to sewage that affects the nearby Sizwe Secondary School have been written about and photographed by the NEWS.
In the last two years, reporting has focused on issues including illegal dumping and sewage in Dassie Street.
Mass buildings have been constructed in what was formerly a wetland feature.
Ward 92 Clr Kade Guerreiro did not hold anything back while addressing the town’s current state of affairs.
Zweli Dlamini, a spokesman for the city of Ekurhuleni, also addressed the situation and clarified how locals can cooperate with the city to improve their neighbourhood.
Guerreiro stated that there is a need to reevaluate general development, roads, water and sewage, energy and crime and safety.
Crime and safety
“Crime has caused many issues and has created fear within the community. The SAPS has had its hands full with crime in Elandsfontein. Much goes unresolved in the area,” said Guerreiro.
“Crime and safety fall outside of local government and is a national complement. I did a petition to the government with the request for a Satellite SAPS station. Unfortunately, many Elandsfontein residents did not take part in this petition.
“Illegal fuel siphoning and selling of stolen goods has become a great concern. House burglaries, violence, GBV, rape and murder are also increasing,” said Guerreiro.
Roads
“Roads in Elandsfontein are shocking. Some roads like Hattingh Street have completely fallen apart and vehicles are unable to use the road.
“Ekurhuleni has per the budget allocated for the repair and upgrade of Hattingh Street. I am hoping by-law enforcement will stop the illegal dumping on the wetland,” said Guerreiro.
ALSO READ: Residents in Elandsfontein left without water for eight months
Water and sewage
“The city has not done anything to assist with the sewage situation in Elandsfontein. With the collapse of our sewage system, the area is in constant sewage wars.
“Because of the illegal building, the system is beyond repair. The system in the area is still largely made of clay pipes.”
Electricity:
“Electricity in Elandsfontein is described as a nightmare. On consecutive weeks we have power problems. With mass illegal connections and bypassed meters, our power infrastructure has collapsed.
“Despite the effort to get new substations residents have destroyed and tampered with them. Both eMabondeni and Wetland settlements are equal in the power situation.
“Ekurhuleni seems powerless to resolve these challenges and there is no budget allocated to deal with these issues.
“Average outage in Elandsfontein takes anything up to 15 days to get fixed.
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“Staff are too scared to assist for fear of being attacked by residents. This is a result of the violent nature displayed by the residents because they are frustrated and feel forgotten.”
General development:
“Ekurhuleni, under its current administration, is not working on issues in Elandsfontein and thus our problems are getting worse.
“Residents believe the ward councillor is to blame, which is far from reality. Our community is extremely frustrated and unhappy with the state of Elandsfontein.
“Despite Ekurhuleni not helping the community, residents also do not work together to promote a better and safer community.
“If residents work together like in other areas in the ward, Elandsfontein can move forward. All three levels of government need to urgently assist Elandsfontein,” said Guerreiro.
