Residents of Sewende Laan informal settlement in Ward 8, Galeshewe, have complained about poor service delivery.
RESIDENTS of Sewende Laan informal settlement in Ward 8, Galeshewe, have complained about poor service delivery.
The settlement has been in existence for about eight years and received an electricity connection in 2022.
The residents’ main concern is the only entrance-exit road to their settlement, which they say is an “accident waiting to happen”.
A concerned service delivery group has raised complaints about the road, bucket system, refuse collection, high-mast lights and municipal bills.
Complaints were raised that the area has only one entrance road, which passes over a water canal and is not maintained.
Residents expressed fear that the low bridge is on the verge of caving in and that only one vehicle at a time can pass over it.
They also pointed out that the streets from the bridge to the RDP houses are a “mess” when it rains.
One of the residents, Bassie Abrahams, said that the buckets can go for up to two months without being collected.
“Refuse trucks don’t enter our area at all, meanwhile our rent or rates are in arrears with more than R1,500 already. This results in illegal dumping. The reluctance of paying rent emanates from the fact that residents don’t get services. The only service we are getting is the electricity, which we buy,” said Abrahams.
He added that they have asked their ward committee for two additional entrance roads to be constructed.
“We need one road on the side of West End Hospital and the other from Silson Road joining Z Khumalo Street.
“The road Z Khumalo is existent, it is just a matter of building or constructing a bridge for vehicles.”
Abrahams elaborated that Sewende Laan settlement has expanded and is surrounded by the water canal, which makes the need for an extra entrance road crucial.
He added that it always seems like an “effort” for the municipality to assist them with soil for the flooded and muddy streets after the rains.
“The additional roads will also assist our elderly and sickly people to be picked up and dropped off nearer to their homes, and ease the pressure on the one and only road. It will also help during emergencies because drivers are not willing to use that small bridge during the rains as it looks dangerous.”
He further raised concern about the absence of high-mast lights, which he said would assist in curbing crime taking place behind the Northern Cape Legislature.
Sol Plaatje Municipality dismissed claims of poor service delivery in Sewende Laan.
Municipal spokesperson Thoko Riet admitted that the entrance-exit point is a huge challenge in Sewende Laan.
“Our roads section will meet with the responsible councillor in a week or so to see how best they can conclude the matter of securing a safe pathway for vehicles to enter and exit the area,” Riet, however, assured residents.
“Refuse is collected twice a week (on Tuesdays and Saturdays), while the buckets are collected regularly on a weekly basis.”
Riet urged residents to report any non-delivery of services to the municipality’s call centre.
Regarding the accounts in arrears, Riet explained that the residents, whose plots were registered, are being charged an informal housing fee on a monthly basis until the installation of water meters, and only then charged according to their usage as well as their rates.
“So the fees have since accumulated to that amount.
“Residents affected are requested to regularly visit their municipal offices to make sure they receive their monthly accounts so they can also make the necessary arrangements to pay,” said Riet.
