This blog tells a harrowing tale of a community plagued by poor service delivery, with daily water and electricity outages driving residents to desperation. David Hutch, a community activist, describes the crisis-level situation in Ekurhuleni as residents struggle to access basic necessities, leading to fights and unrest.
With the municipality failing to provide essential services, residents and business owners like George Dorsam have taken matters into their own hands, resorting to drilling for water and using alternative power sources like solar and generators.
The dire situation has led to a decline in property values and an increase in crime, with cables being stolen and electricity sabotaged. Despite efforts to maintain some semblance of normalcy by stocking up on water and planning for outages, the community continues to face challenges.
In the midst of this chaos, the City of Ekurhuleni has faced governance issues, resulting in a decline in service standards. However, Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has outlined plans to improve service delivery, including the establishment of a service delivery war room to address interruptions promptly.
Despite the challenges, there is hope for a better future as the city works towards restoring essential services and accountability to its residents.
TimesLIVE