Residents of Freedom Park, in Villa Liza, who have been without electricity for the past 19 years, will finally get connected.
Residents expressed their relief that finally, after so many years of living in the dark, they will have electricity.
According to community leader Themba Nkani, the contractors started working at the end of March.
“The Ekurhuleni metro has hired contractors to carry out work in Loliwe, Ulundi and Freedom Park informal settlements. We are grateful that at least we can see development taking place in our area, but what doesn’t sit well with me is that we were not told about the budget,” said Nkani.
“I believe that before the contractors started working here we should have been told about the budget, but instead the metro is mum in regards to the costs,” he said.
Nkani said a lot has been happening in their area without them knowing.
“On May 30, EMPD members broke down shacks which they said were illegally built. We couldn’t understand what was happening because residents were not given notices.
“We are just not happy about the approach they used to deal with this matter,” he said.
Last year the Ekurhuleni metro distributed 270 chemical toilets to some of the residents at the beginning of May, but more than 700 people, however, are still waiting for such service.
According to another community leader, Maxwell Mdlungu, although for the past 18 years they have been living without basic services, such as water, toilets and electricity, they believe now is the time that they’ll receive the necessary development even though it’s a process.
Mdlungu said since the electrification project in the area began, about three 10m cables have been stolen.
“This has prompted about 15 men in the area to avail themselves as watchdogs during the night to guard the cables. Due to financial battles, 10 of the men have resigned.”
One of the patrollers, Thami Mhlongo, said the community leaders collect about R10 every month from each and every household in the area to donate to them, which helps to at least put food on the table.
“The money is not enough, but because we opted to be watchdogs for the community we do it with passion. Since we started guarding the area, the crime level has decreased drastically, which proves we are doing a great job,” he said.
Some of the challenges he raised was that they don’t have protective gear, reflector vests or torches, which makes their work a little bit difficult.
Nkani urges security companies to reach out to the group for skills training.
“Because most of the patrollers are still young, we would like them to be equipped and empowered,” Nkani said.
Anyone who would like to donate reflective gears, torches or anything that could help can contact Nkani on 073 671 0014 or Mdlungu on 073 147 9425.
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